Developing a Research Agenda for Early Detection and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Co-PI s
Joe Reichle, PhD
Professor Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
Speech Language Hearing Sciences
115 Shevlin Hall
164 Pillsbury Dr SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
reich001@umn.edu
Michael Reiff, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Director, Autism Clinic
Division of Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience
Mayo Mail Code 486
420 Delaware St.SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
The reported prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is increasing at an alarming rate.
There is a pressing need for understanding the early underpinnings and methods of early
detection and interventions for ASDs. Mounting evidence suggests that developmental processes
are disrupted early in development. Recent research addressing neuroplasticity and early
intervention has documented the positive benefits on outcome of developmental and behavioral
interventions for children with ASDs when initiated prior to age 3. This symposium will explore
current evidence addressing early detection and intervention by convening an interdisciplinary
symposium of national and local experts set a research agenda directed toward the completion of
an interdisciplinary grant proposal in this area. This research agenda development will utilize the
diverse expertise and resources across nationally prominent collaborators and, at the same time
take the needs of community partners and stakeholders into consideration. The symposium will
be conducted by a number of methods including a plenary session where topic review and
presented, as well as facilitated small group and large group discussions. By the end of the
symposium, research proposal work groups will be identified, a list serve will be constructed to
facilitate on-going work, and dates meetings will be set. DVD’s of the plenary session will be
available and a written summary of the workgroup discussions and written conclusions, research
agendas and action plan for submitting funding applications to federal funding sources will be
available to the work groups. A research proposal(s) will be completed and submitted by April 6,
2009.