Mizzou crushes KU in Border Challenge for Autism
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Joel Bregman, executive director of the Thompson Center and Truman Jr. (T.J.) celebrate Mizzou's win. |
Several fans of the University of Missouri and the MU Thompson Center traveled to Boulevard Brewery in Kansas City on Thursday, April 21, to attend the MU-KU Border Challenge for Autism III. Organized by SFS Architecture through a program called Project Hope, the annual event raises money for the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (KCART). To ensure fan participation, the school with the greatest number of attendees at the event wins the largest percent of the money raised. Because more Mizzou fans attended this year’s event the Thompson Center will receive 60% of the proceeds while KCART will receive 40%. Our thanks to SFS Architecture and Project Hope, both from Kansas City, for their support!
Click to see more photos from this event!
Searching for answers:
a variety of research projects seek participants
More than 30 research projects are currently being conducted by faculty and staff affiliated with the Thompson Center. Many of these studies are seeking families and individuals to participate. Below is a partial listing of those studies.
Visit the Thompson Center website for more information about these studies.
Fifth Annual "It’s in the Cards Gala" sends message of hope to families
Attendees of the fifth annual It’s in the Cards Gala were moved to tears as they watched a video featuring 4-year-old Delaney McDermott transform from a child with no social interaction skills, who rocked her body and flapped her hands to calm herself, into one who is more socially and academically prepared to face life. Delaney’s video served to underscore the importance of the event.
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Paul Backes, 13, of St. Thomas, MO, sits hunched over a drawing that he is creating, his pencil dancing across the paper like fingers on a piano. When he finishes the drawing he lifts it up to reveal a highly detailed, and accurate depiction of Jesse Hall at the University of Missouri.
Read more…
Also in this issue:
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A Note from our Executive Director
The past several months have been exciting and productive for the Thompson Center (TC). The Thompson Center’s annual Autism Intervention Conference was held in April and more than 400 participants attended. The conference featured more than 20 distinguished presenters and provided valuable information and insightful reviews of current, evidence-based treatment approaches and clinical research initiatives in neurodevelopmental disorders. During the annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) held in May, 17 presentations were given by TC faculty, reflecting the quality of the clinical research being conducted at the Center. Faculty and staff also continue their active involvement in the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) of Autism Speaks, working with colleagues across the country on strategies to continually improve interdisciplinary clinical care and treatment programming for those with ASD.
As part of an expanding initiative to provide community programs, TC faculty and staff conducted an Art Day for Autism experience for children and adolescents. This was very well received by the participants and their families.
All of us at the Thompson Center are very grateful for the tremendous community and philanthropic support that we receive. During the month of April two important events were held. The 5th Annual It’s in the Cards event was held St. Louis and was a major success. Attendance was impressive, and the excellent work that we do was showcased. The dedication and generosity of Tony LaRussa, who hosts the event and the St. Louis Cardinals, the Thompson family, and the Thompson Foundation are greatly appreciated. The MU-KU Border Challenge III, sponsored by SKF Architecture and Project Hope of Kansas City, also boasted a great turnout and the Thompson Center will receive a generous contribution from the event.
Moving forward, the faculty and professional staff of the Thompson Center have completed the first round of strategic planning sessions and are planning to begin initial implementation of several identified goals for the coming year.
The many accomplishments that we’ve had in these past few months are evidence of the great support that we receive from individuals like you. We appreciate your commitment to helping us provide a line of hope and help for those living with autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevleopmentals concerns.
 Joel Bregman, MD
Executive Director
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