FRIENDS of the
CENTER FOR AUTISM
AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
J
oining the Friends of the Center for Autism
and Developmental Disabilities is a tangible
way for you to help advance the understanding
of autism, Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome,
and other neurological developmental disabilities.
Friends will make the difference in speeding
research discoveries that will reach patients
expeditiously, in propelling newly established
treatments to the mainstream of clinical practice,
and in recruiting talented faculty members.
Your membership and GIFTS will:
SUPPORT research programs that are
making new discoveries possible and bringing
them quickly to the clinic, where our faculty
evaluate and establish new treatments. Our
ability to shorten the time between laboratory
discovery and benefit to the patient depends
on endowments, grants, and fellowships.
ENHANCE and expand our clinical programs
that provide state-of-the-art diagnostic and
treatment services to thousands of patients.
PROMOTE awareness, education, and
dialogue among families and professionals
who are passionate about seeking the next
progressive approaches to treatment.
A GIFT of $1,000 per year
per individual or couple will offer members
Time is CRITICAL
T
he need is great for diagnostic and
specialized care programs for autism
and other developmental disabilities
in the North Texas region, as well
as for clinical research to develop and test new
treatments that will ultimately impact children
throughout Texas, the nation, and the world.
Autism services are traditionally found in many
places – schools, hospitals, specialty centers,
and pediatrician, private psychologist, and child
psychiatrist offices. This has led to a misdiagnosis
rate approaching 30 percent to 40 percent. The
latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
data indicate that less than 6 percent of
diagnostic testing. The Center for Autism and
Developmental Disabilities at Children’s Medical
Center and UT Southwestern – under the direction
of the nation’s most respected experts – addresses
services and its cutting-edge research programs –
all in one location.
researchers and clinicians who are the best
Private philanthropy is the critical component
in the field during two stimulating programs
that will ensure the success of the program for
each year. Additionally, you will be invited to an
the benefit of every child.
annual event and presentation, featuring faculty
Your friendship can change the
LIFE of a CHILD.
Autism_4.panel_Broch_Sepia.pms542.indd 1
Children
with
Autism
this need with its diverse and integrated clinical
Please join TODAY
developmental disabilities.
for
had access to gold-standard, definitive
an opportunity to hear directly from the
discussing the latest advances in autism and other
Working together
diagnosed children across the country have
FRIENDS of the
08/14
CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER
UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
8/5/14 10:36 PM
What is AUTISM?
T
his complex neurodevelopmental
disability affects brain
maturation in ways that
impact social interaction
What are other types
of DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES?
and communication skills. It
typically manifests in early
childhood, and five times as many boys as girls
are affected. Parents are usually the first to
notice unusual behaviors around the ages of
1 to 3. This is the optimal age for diagnostic
evaluation because early detection affords
children behavioral treatments at the time of
greatest benefit.
T
here are a host of rare genetic
disorders that can cause autism.
Evaluation by a pediatric specialist
is often crucial for diagnosing these
conditions, which can benefit from targeted
treatments. More research is urgently needed
to understand how these disorders impact
brain growth and to develop better ways to
One in 68 CHILDREN
treat the conditions. Because the biology of
That’s how many children in the U.S. are
than is the case in most individuals with
diagnosed with autism. Some on the autism
autism, research into these conditions may
spectrum have exceptional abilities in visual
provide important insights into mechanisms of
skills, music, and academics, while others have
autism more generally. In addition to autism,
significant disability and are unable to live
the Center for Autism and Developmental
independently. Researchers believe that autism
Disabilities also focuses on two syndromes that
is caused by a number of factors – both genetic
are diagnosed with genetic tests – Fragile X
and environmental. There is no known cure,
syndrome and Down syndrome.
and treatment options are limited. Research is
urgently needed to develop better therapies
to optimize treatment for each child.
A Single Center of
EXCELLENCE
these disorders is much better understood
FRAGILE X SYNDROME (FXS) is the
most common known cause of inherited
intellectual disability. FXS affects both males
and females, although females typically have
milder symptoms. About 1 in 5,000 boys are
born with this genetic disorder, which causes
developmental delays, learning disabilities,
and social and behavioral problems. Autism
occurs often in children with FXS.
DOWN SYNDROME is the most common
genetic chromosomal disorder and cause of
learning disabilities in children. It occurs
when abnormal cell division results in
extra genetic material from chromosome 21.
Children with Down syndrome typically have
physical growth delays, characteristic facial
features, and mild to moderate intellectual
disability. Also called trisomy 21, it occurs in 1
in 1,000 births each year.
D
iagnosing autism requires a
detailed review of a child’s medical
history and a standardized
assessment of social interaction and
behavioral flexibility. This is best performed by
a team that includes neurologists, psychologists,
psychiatrists, and speech and language experts.
An interdisciplinary team working together
ensures that the best health care professional
in each field participates as needed to confirm
the diagnosis and develop the optimal
treatment plan in a patient-centered context.
With this challenge in mind, and building on
the unique resources of Children’s Medical
Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center,
the institutions joined together to create the
new Center for Autism and Developmental
Disabilities. The Center provides integrated,
interdisciplinary clinical services at a single site,
and physician-scientists in the Center conduct
leading-edge research aimed at improving the
care of individuals living with developmental
disabilities. Basic research leading to
understanding the fundamental causes of
autism and other syndromes is underway to
devise new therapeutic approaches. The Center
also offers behavioral interventions, especially
for young children shortly after diagnosis, and a
psychopharmacology clinic for older children, as
well as referral resources throughout the area.
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8/5/14 10:36 PM