Latest Chan Division News
Autism
Sensory adapted dental rooms significantly reduce autistic children’s physiological and behavioral stress during teeth cleanings ⟩
June 2, 2023
Autism Community and Partners Diversity, Access, Equity Health and Wellness Research
Results of USC–CHLA study of 162 autistic children show that safe and feasible adaptations to the clinic environment created more relaxed, less anxious dental care experiences.
By Mike McNulty In the SADE research clinic at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, sensory adaptations to the environment were shown to significantly reduce autistic children's physiological and behavioral stress during dental cleanings. (Photo by Phil Channing) New results from a study led by USC…
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Four new, early-stage projects selected for internal research funding ⟩
February 3, 2023
Autism Community and Partners Faculty Pandemic Research
Aims of projects include increasing social connections in mental health clubhouses, improving return-to-work, developing trauma-informed framework for minoritized families of autistic girls and better understanding autistic sensory strengths
Three projects have been selected for the upcoming funding cycle of the Responding to Society’s Post-pandemic Occupational Needs (ReSPONs) Initiative, the USC Chan Division’s seed grant mechanism for early-stage projects that address the intersecting pandemics — COVID-19, systemic racial…
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Study highlights barriers, facilitators to telehealth occupational therapy for autistic children during the pandemic ⟩
January 17, 2023
Autism Community and Partners Pandemic Research
Qualitative research explores perspectives of occupational therapists, clinical administrators and caregivers.
By Mike McNulty Telehealth became an essential way for occupational therapists to work with clients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, nearly three years after the March 2020 stay-at-home orders, researchers from USC Chan’s Disparity Reduction and Equity in Autism Services (DREAmS) lab published…
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Study finds 3 percent of children have elevated sensory issues that seemingly worsen throughout early childhood, a pattern strongly linked to autism ⟩
December 29, 2022
By following more than 1,500 children over six years, USC-led study helps confirm sensory features are an early behavioral marker of autism.
By Mike McNulty Figure 1 from the article showing identified Class types and their respective trajectories. (Figure courtesy of Chen et al.) New results from a USC-led study reveal that 3 percent of all children have elevated sensory traits which seemingly worsen as they grow from infants/toddlers…
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Study pinpoints three brain regions displaying telltale patterns in autistic individuals ⟩
November 14, 2022
USC scientists are first to identify patterns of white matter connectivity exclusive to core autistic symptoms, pointing out potential flaw in previous autism neuroscience research.
By Mike McNulty Correlational tractography analysis by Aziz-Zadeh and colleagues revealed group differences in multiple tracts throughout the brain. (Courtesy of Lisa Aziz-Zadeh) New study results from an international research team led by USC scientists have identified a signature pattern of white…
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Study identifies social, motor skills patterns unique to autistic children ⟩
July 4, 2022
Autism Research
Findings help clarify relationships between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Coordination Disorder
By Mike McNulty (Photo/Adobe Stock) Results from a new study published in Autism Research show that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) each have their own distinct patterns of social and motor skills, which also overlap in some instances. The results also…
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Baranek named 2022 INSAR Fellow ⟩
May 27, 2022
Associations and Bodies Autism Awards Conferences Faculty
Designation recognizes impactful scholarship of International Society for Autism Research members.
Associate Dean and Chair Grace Baranek Associate Dean and Chair Grace Baranek has been named a 2022 Fellow of the International Society for Autism Research. The announcement was made at INSAR's annual meeting in Austin, Texas. The Fellow designation recognizes those INSAR members whose autism…
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Analysis of more than 82,000 autistic children’s healthcare usage data finds sex, race, ethnicity disparities ⟩
April 29, 2022
Autism Community and Partners Research
Findings provide new insights and elicit new questions for understudied autistic groups.
By Mike McNulty (Photo/Adobe Stock) A new analysis of data collected from more than 82,000 autistic children across seven years reveals significant differences in their healthcare utilization according to sex, race and ethnicity. Results of the study led by Assistant Professor Amber Angell and its…
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The division’s current projects and programs for autistic people, at a glance ⟩
April 18, 2022
Autism
In recognition of Autism Month, a round-up of all that's happening at USC Chan.
By Bryan Morales The month of April is recognized as Autism Month, dedicated to the inclusion and recognition of autistic individuals and those in the autism community, including parents, caretakers, teachers, practitioners and self-advocates. Within the USC Chan Division is a collection of projects…
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New analysis of developmental screen finds autistic children showed heightened sensory, motor behaviors as infants ⟩
March 7, 2022
Autism Community and Partners Research
By analyzing more than 6,000 questionnaire responses, team of USC and UNC researchers identify areas during infancy linked to later neurodevelopmental risks.
By Mike McNulty (Photo/Adobe Stock) Early detection of autism within the community — in the home, at daycare, or during well child visits, for example — is critical to increasing access to early intervention services. But surprisingly, there are just a few tools that can reliably identify the…
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