Our Mission
The purpose of the Work Group on Autism, formed in June 2007, is to lay the foundation for a multi-dimensional autism center of state and national significance. The vision of the proposed Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART) is to address the growing public health concern of children identified with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) through university affiliated research and training. Goals are to:
- Enhance the University of Kansas and University of Kansas Medical Center efforts to assist the state in meeting the challenges of providing effective, high quality services through training and outreach services
- Increase KU’s and KUMC’s responsiveness to the needs of persons with ASD, their families, and their communities
- Increase externally funded autism research at KU and KUMC
- Work with KU Endowment to secure private funds to support our mission
What Can Be Done to Address this National Public Health Concern?
Early diagnosis is critical. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcomes.
Early intensive behavioral intervention, beginning as early as age 18 months for 25 to 40 hours per week, has been shown by research to be the most effective treatment.
Education and treatment should be individualized for each child and address communication, social development, learning, and behavior problems, with ongoing evaluation to determine progress or a need for treatment revision.
The most effective treatment plans involve parents, special and general educators, psychologists, and speech and occupational therapists to support comprehensive implementation across home, school, and community environments.
What's Next for the Work Group on Autism Research and Training
There are currently 28 grants related directly or indirectly to autism and we expect that the Work Group and future Autism Center will stimulate more research and training dollars.
Parents and family members are giving us an agenda:
Social skills interventions on a broader scale
Interventions for adolescents and young adults
Agency and financial support for supported living for adults with autism
Employment opportunities and job support.
We need the input of families and service providers as we lay the foundation for the Autism Center. Please contact us with your ideas. Let us know if you are willing to serve in an advisory capacity.
If you would like to be on the Work Group news and discussion, contact Karen Henry, Assistant Director for Communications, The Life Span Institute at the University of Kansas.
Check back to this web site frequently. We will be adding links to resources in Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area as well as those with regional and national scope and keeping you informed of our progress.
The Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies
1052 Robert J. Dole Human Development Center
1000 Sunnyside Avenue
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-4295
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the world today, increasing at an annual rate of 10-15 percent. The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders is estimated at 1 in 150, compared to previous estimates of 4 to 5 per 10,000. This makes autism more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. In short autism has become a significant public health concern.
Leadership
There are currently more than 30 KU staff and faculty, representative of the strengths of several academic departments and clinical programs, who have volunteered to serve on the Work Group on Autism Research and Training.
Director
Debra Kamps, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Life Span Institute; Associate Director, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project (Committee Chair), KU Life Span Institute
Dr. Kamps expertise includes a long history of published research of prevention research on students with autism and serious behavior disorders and effective instructional, behavioral, and social interventions for students with disabilities.
Co-Director
R. Matthew Reese, Ph.D., Director, Center for Child Health and Development, Kansas University Medical Center
Dr. Reese is a licensed psychologist with more than 25 years experience in developmental disabilities. His particular area of expertise is autism and individuals with severe developmental disabilities and behavior problems.