Services expand to meet growing needs
The need for comprehensive behavioral and psychological services for families and individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in Missouri has been ever-growing. In response to this need, the Thompson Center has recently reorganized and expanded many of its clinical services within the Intervention Services Division (formerly the Division of Behavior and Education). (read more)
 Gastrointestinal disorders and
stress in autism
Dr. David Beversdorf, Associate Professor in the departments of Radiology, Neurology and Psychological Sciences, and his research team are conducting research to better understand the relationship between gastrointestinal disorders and response to stress in children with autism.
Naomi Aghedo, a Licensed Practical Nurse at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, uses her friendly, helpful and energetic manner to build trust with her patients.
Also in this issue:
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 Jim Poehling and
Dr. Janet Farmer
From our leadership
This is an exciting time for the Thompson Center. Our patient services continue to grow and concurrently we are fortunate to have recruited several talented new faculty members. These include Dr. Jessa Love and Dr. Jennifer Sellers of the Intervention Services Division, as well as Dr. Elena Drewel of the Health Professions Division. Each of these talented faculty members posses an unique blend of experience and expertise that will support and enhance the work being done through the Center.
Thanks to continued support from the Thompson Foundation and Governor Jay Nixon we are proceeding with the development of our new facility at 205 Portland Avenue. We are finishing up the schematic and design development process at this time and anticipate that the new facility will be ready to occupy in late summer of 2010. The functions and activities of the new center will provide efficiency for the staff, and comfort and privacy for the families and children.
In research, the Thompson Center continues to support the efforts made by its faculty to find causes for autism and better ways to treat it. Dr. David Beversdorf, Associate Professor in the departments of Radiology, Neurology and Psychological Sciences, is currently involved in research to discover the connection between stress and gastrointestinal problems in children with autism (read the story). He was also selected to be the first William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology which will support his continuing efforts to enhance autism research. Additionally, he has been invited to join the editorial board of the Journal of Autism & Developmental Disabilities, which reviews over 500 manuscripts per year and
While the faculty and staff of the Thompson Center enjoy the continued growth of the Center, we recognize that our constituents are the ones who make it possible. We are grateful for your support and we look forward to an exciting year of patient service, education, and research in furtherance of service to children and youth with ASD.
Jim Poehling and Dr. Janet Farmer
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