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Inclusion Award Submitted by Kristina McCollum, Kansas City Center
There are many amazing Kansas parents, educators, and community members who have discovered unique ways to assist the growing population of students with disabilities, and who truly understand that given supports and services, these students can be valued, contributing members of our families, schools, and communities. Hopefully you either are one of these generous people, or you can lead us in the right direction to someone who is!
We invite you to nominate an individual who helps families and communities to maximize the potential of children with disabilities for our annual Inclusion Award. Nominations must be received by the Kansas City Center of Families Together by noon, January 23, 2008. Anyone may make a nomination, or be nominated, granted they have worked to make a difference for Kansas children with disabilities. All nominations become the property of Families Together and will not be returned. Please also send a photo of the nominee and student(s), if possible. |
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Research Project Submitted by Christa J. Anderson, M.A., University of Kansas
Who may participate in this project? We are looking for children who are between the ages of 1 and 5 years of age and who have (a) a diagnosis of autism or PDD-NOS, (b) diagnosed Down Syndrome without an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, and (c) typically developing children. The children must not have neurological disorders (beyond autism or Down’s syndrome), should be free of hearing or vision difficulties or other serious health problems such as heart disease, or any motor impairments, and should not be taking any medications.
What type of activities will my child participate in? Each child will be seen at our Lawrence laboratory for two separate 2 hour afternoon sessions. During each session, your child will complete a visual stimuli task, in which your child will sit in a car seat and will be shown a movie clip. While they are looking at the pictures, their eye movements and pupil diameters will be recorded. In addition, salivary samples will be taken from your child at various specific time points during and after the movie clip. Finally, a standardized intelligence assessment, and a standardized assessment of autism will be completed. In addition, you will be asked to take salivary measures from your child on two additional days in your home-environment, and these samples will be picked up by a research assistant when completed.
How do I sign up for participation? If you are interested in participating in this research project or if you have any further questions, please contact us directly at our Lawrence office at (785) 312-5345 (please ask to speak with Christa Anderson, or leave a message if no one is available) or e-mail Christa at cjanders@ku.edu |
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Safety Awareness for Empowerment
Many of you are familiar with the Safety Awareness for Empowerment (SAFE) curriculum that was developed several years ago at Waisman Center's Healthy
Here is a link to the order form, which you can fill out and return along with payment to the address on the form: |
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The University of Kansas is currently recruiting children between the ages of 1 to 5 with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and typically-developing children to participate in a research project that is aimed at examining the functioning of brain regions thought to be involved in ASD and possibly in Down Syndrome. |