Anyone with a loved one on the spectrum knows that the disorder doesn’t just affect that specific person, but the entire family in many ways. But how can we measure that impact? In “Systematic review of disparities in health care for individuals with autism spectrum disorders in the United States,” two researchers at the University…
In 2011, OAR’s Scientific Council selected seven applied research projects for funding. This month, we describe the seventh study, which is being conducted by a researcher at UCLA. Study Effectiveness of a Virtual Coach Application in Social Skills Training for Teens with ASD Researcher Elizabeth A. Laugeson, PhD, University of California, Los…
After-school activities and programs benefit the academic performance of children without disabilities. While research studies on benefits of after-school programs have not included individuals with autism, it is easy to see how beneficial after-school programs could be for not only increasing academic skills but also generalizing social skills learned in the classroom. After-school care is…
In 2011, OAR’s Scientific Council selected seven applied research projects for funding. This month, we describe a study being conducted by researchers at the Koegel Autism Center at University of California, Santa Barbara. Study Training Paraprofessionals to Provide Appropriate Social Opportunities for Children with ASD Researchers Robert Koegel, PhD, and Lynn Kern Koegel,…
In 2011, OAR’s Scientific Council selected seven applied research projects for funding. This month, we describe a study being conducted by researchers at the State University of New York and the Mary Cariola Children’s Center. Study Evaluation of Synchronous Online Parent Skill Training Researcher Marcie Desrochers, Ph.D., BCBA-D, SUNY-Brockport, N.Y., and Erin DiCesare, Mary…
In October 2012, OAR’s Board of Directors approved 12 new studies for a total of $355,000 in funding through its annual Applied Research Competition. These research efforts, nine of which are now underway, are poised to advance our understanding of autism and how to effectively support those affected by it. This month, we feature previews…
In 2011, OAR’s Scientific Council selected seven applied research projects for funding. This month, we describe a study being conducted by a researcher at the Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Md. Study A Preliminary Investigation of the Neurobehavioral Basis of Sensory Behavior in Autism Researcher Ericka Wodka,…
OAR-funded researcher Audrey Blakeley-Smith, PhD, is an assistant professor in the departments of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine. She is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in developmental disabilities, most specifically autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Through funding from OAR, Dr. Blakeley-Smith is collaborating with local school districts on strategies to…
Study Increasing Functional Vocational Skills in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Using Behavioral Economics Researchers Principal Investigator: Robert H. LaRue, Ph.D, BCBA-D, director of behavioral and research services; Lara Delmolino, Ph.D., BCBA-D, director; Kate Fiske Massey, Ph.D., BCBA-D, associate director of behavioral and research services; Kimberly N. Sloman, Ph.D., BCBA-D, associate director of behavioral…
In 2011, OAR’s Scientific Council selected seven applied research projects for funding. This month, we describe a study being conducted by researchers at The New England Center for Children. Study Using a Direct Observation Assessment Battery to Assess Outcome of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention for Children with Autism Researchers Rebecca P.F. MacDonald, PhD,…
