Supporting the Spectrum

2022 MU Thompson Center Autism Conference - https://tcautismconf.com/    

Autism Spectrum Disorder, also referred to as ASD, is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect an individual's communication skills, emotional development, learning, memory, and self-control. The characteristics of ASD can be mild to severe, which is why many refer to autism as a spectrum. Through the work of doctors, researchers, and self-advocates our understanding of autism is rapidly evo...

https://www.bcfr.org/our-services/eligibility/ DMH Eligibility Information: https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/individual-family-guardian-info Office of Autism/Autism Project info: https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/autism/projects Map of Missouri Association of County Developmental Disability Services (MACDDS). Some County Boards contract with DMH to provide county based Targeted Case Managemen...

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Shawna Shelton, registered nurse and nurse clinician at the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, discusses common causes and treatment approaches for constipation.

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Cortney Fish, a licensed behavior analyst at the Thompson Center, discusses the debate of using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Common concerns related to the use of ABA are explained and misperceptions clarified.

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Jaclyn Benigno, STRIVE Program Coordinator and Cortney Fish, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Training Core Manager at the Thompson Center, share about the program Self-Determined Transition Readiness Through Individual Vocational Experiences (STRIVE). Benigno and Fish provide information about the program, discuss its success, and share additional t...

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Luke Daily, a licensed social worker and Assistant District Supervisor at Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), discusses how VR provides individuals with disabilities support towards employment goals. He provides an overview of the services available through VR, information on how and when to access those services, and additional resources to consider while p...

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Dr. Chad Rose, Associate Professor at the University of Missouri and Director of the Mizzou Ed Bully Prevention Lab, discusses bullying, bullying prevention, and response. Dr. Rose shares his expert knowledge, including advice, information, and resources to both prevent bullying and support students who have experienced bullying.

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Shawna Shelton, registered nurse and nurse clinician at the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, discusses common sleep challenges of children with autism. She provides practical advice to families on both strategies to try and who to turn to for additional support.

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Dr. Benjamin Black, Director of Medical Services and Assistant Professor of Clinical Child Health, discusses what we know about the COVID-19 vaccination, and implications for children with autism. He further dives into explaining where misinformation about vaccines and autism originated from. Additionally, Brittany Schmitz, Board Certified Behavior Analy...

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Kerri Nowell, PhD, Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Missouri's Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment discusses anxiety in children with autism. Dr. Nowell shares the range of symptom presentation and discusses the evaluation process and treatments.

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Michelle Dampf, MA, CCC-SLP and Megan Henzel, MOT, OTR/L, ATP discuss the use of Augmentative, Alternative, Communication (AAC) with children with autism. They share about AAC readiness, myths of using AAC, and what to expect during the evaluation process.

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Jennifer Weyman, PhD, BCBA, LBA, shares about the Severe Behavior Clinic at the Thompson Center.

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Brooke Barnes, MA, Special Educator and Training Specialist and Jena Randolph, PhD, Assistant Professor in Special Education discuss the use of the Autism Program Environment Rating Scale (APERS), an assessment tool developed by the National Professional Development Center to assess the quality indicators of education programs for youth with autism. They...

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Dr. Benjamin Black, Director of Medical Services and Assistant Professor of Clinical Child Health, discusses pediatric medical support for children with autism. He provides information on the Thompson Center’s medical clinic, and how it differs from services provided by primary care physicians. Discussion and resources are provided on common medical conc...

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Lea Ann Lowery, and Occupational Therapist, and Clinical Professor at the University of Missouri, gives advice on how to support difficulties with their homework and written assignments. Taking a strengths-based approach, Dr. Lowery discusses strategies for success.

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Ashleigh Boyd, MHS, CCC-SLP, Speech Language Pathologist at the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Development discusses language development in young children, both the hallmarks of typical development, and flags that indicate delays. She gives specific attention to distinguishing between delays in speech-language and concerns that...

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Nicole Takahashi, manager of the research core at the Thompson Center, and Samantha Hunter, research specialist, discuss the current research projects at the center and highlight SPARK, the largest genetic study of autism ever.

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Emma Keicher, behavior analyst, and Brooke Barnes, Special Educator and Training Specialist at the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center problem solve through common toilet training challenges.

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Brittney Stevenson, occupational therapist at the University of Missouri, discusses water safety and swim instruction for children on the spectrum.

In this 3-part series, funded by the Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Foundation, five young adults with autism share their perspectives from diagnosis to transition to adulthood. In part 3, the autism self-advocates share their visions of a good life and discuss the importance of self-advocacy.

In this 3-part series, funded by the Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Foundation, five young adults with autism share their perspectives from diagnosis to transition to adulthood. In part 2, the young adults with autism share reflections on the process of transitioning to adulthood.

In this 3-part series, funded by the Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Foundation, five young adults with autism share their perspectives from diagnosis to transition to adulthood. In part 1 of the series, the young adults share reflections on their path to diagnosis and what their diagnosis means to them.

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Dr. Nancy Cheak-Zamora, faculty and researcher in Health Sciences, shares her expertise, including resources and ideas for both parents and health care providers on how to best support the transition of care from pediatric to adult services. Common health care challenges and parent concerns are discussed, and recommendations on how to best support are pr...

In this episode of Supporting the Spectrum, Emma Keicher, a licensed behavior analyst and the Clinical Operations Manager for Applied Behavior Intervention Services at the Thompson Center, talks with us about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Early Intensive Behavior Intervention (EIBI) services. Acronyms are broken down, services are explained, and additional resources are shared.