June 27, 2022
Community Shares:
- The Autism Center Research Team at the Child Mind Institute is seeking parents of children between 18 and 48 months who are concerned with their child’s development, play, and/or social skills to participate in an NIMH-funded study on the association between brain development and behavior. The study includes behavioral assessments, parent interviews, parent questionnaires, and a brain MRI in natural sleep. For those that qualify, expert Child Mind Institute clinicians will conduct clinical evaluations and provide feedback, including a written report detailing testing, diagnosis (if necessary), and treatment recommendations at no cost to participants.
- Dental studies involving individuals with autism are continuing to be a hot area of research. A new study from the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry examined rates of regular preventive dental services for adults with autism. Sadly, the study discovered that only one in every three adults on the spectrum receive one preventive dental visit per year.
- Findings from a Ph.D. thesis suggest that the use of Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) for individuals with autism can reduce emotional distress and improve overall well-being. The thesis investigated how the ACT-based group treatment worked for students with autism ages 13-21. The treatment program consisted of weekly group sessions that lasted 150 minutes, over 12-14 sessions. Each session included a short mindfulness or acceptance exercise, followed by a review of homework assignments, an introduction to the session’s theme, new homework assignments, and an evaluation of the group meeting.
- New guidance from the Labor Department clarifies expectations for employers that pay individuals with disabilities less than minimum wage. Those with disabilities age 24 or younger cannot work for subminimum wage without first showing that they have received transition services, pursued employment through vocational rehabilitation, and have been provided information and referrals about other options in their area. They also must receive career counseling and information about training opportunities once every six months during the first year and annually thereafter. Now the Labor Department insists that employers must pay the full federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour even if they do not have documentation showing that employees have completed all the necessary steps before engaging in work.
