Leading the Network

The Thompson Center takes pride in being a national and global leader in autism care, research and training. This leadership perhaps is best illustrated through the Thompson Center’s role in the Autism Treatment Network (ATN). The ATN is a collaboration between Autism Speaks and a network of 13 hospitals and autism treatment and research facilities around the United States and Canada. Member sites of the ATN work together to develop the most effective approaches to medical care for people with autism.

Through the ATN, and its co-organization, the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Resources and Services Administration, ATN site are performing innovative, ground-breaking collaborative research on autism and its best treatments.

One of the most valuable resources created by the ATN is a patient data registry, which currently holds an enormous amount of behavioral and medical data from 6,900 children and teens with autism. This data can be used by researchers across the ATN to save time and money when conducting studies on autism.

“The ATN has provided the Thompson Center with invaluable access to research data, support and funding,” said Dr. Stephen Kanne, executive director of the Thompson Center. “The opportunity not only to participate in such a wonderful network, but to serve as a leader within the network, has strengthened the Thompson Center and membership with the ATN will continue to advance our missions of autism care, research and training into the future.”

The ATN develops critical tools and evidence-based algorithms to advance the diagnosis and comprehensive care of children with autism. Each ATN site contributes multidisciplinary professionals to the network, including clinical experts, research experts and parent experts.

“Membership in the ATN proves the Thompson Center belongs among the elite centers and hospitals for autism care around the country,” Kanne said. “Further, our ability to serve as a leader in research expertise among the ATN sites is a testament to the outstanding researchers, facilities and support staff we have been able to assemble here at the Thompson Center.”

Dr. Kristin Sohl serves as the network steering chair and guides initiatives around providing “whole care for the whole family”. Dr. Sohl also serves as the ATN/AIR-P site principal investigator at the Thompson Center, and is leading the signature research project for the AIR-P. This study is a multi-site, randomized controlled trial evaluating the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Autism program. The study aims to improve autism knowledge and confidence of community primary care physicians and nurse practitioners, allowing them to better screen and identify autism, as well as manage symptoms of co-occurring conditions often associated with autism.

“ECHO Autism is bringing best practice autism care to primary care so families can access evidence-based tools and expertise in their local communities,” Sohl said. “Connecting communities to experts like those at the Thompson Center enable families to get answers sooner and receive the right care at the right time and in the right place.”

The ECHO Autism study will run through 2018 and early returns for the study are promising. ECHO Autism is a Thompson Center program developed by Sohl and Dr. Micah Mazurek, in collaboration with the Missouri Telehealth Network. By using state-of-the-art multipoint video conferencing technology, an interdisciplinary team of autism experts, or the “hub team,” is able to coach and mentor dozens of health providers, or “spokes,” simultaneously, guiding them on how to deliver best-practice autism care. During ECHO Autism clinics, experts are able to give recommendations on how to best care for patients with autism and their families. The program has exploded in the past two years, now reaching practitioners across the globe.

STRIVE-ing for Success

When the first cohort of the Thompson Center Self-Determined Readiness Through Individual Vocational Experiences (STRIVE) program set foot into the classroom at the beginning of last fall, the goal for program coordinator Cortney Fish was to better prepare the participants with the necessary employment skills for them to work competively among their peers. A little more than a year later, and only a few months after finishing the program, all five participants not only have learned those skills, but they all have secured paid employment.

“It is an amazing accomplishment for our first STRIVE cohort and it’s all because of their hard work,” Fish said. “Without even realizing it, these individuals are advocates for so many others who may have a disability. They have shown their community and employers that they are not only capable of working, but their unique strengths and talents are great assets to so many businesses. It’s clear employers feel the same way because our STRIVE participants received great feedback from their employers about how well they did in their positions.”

STRIVE is a two-semester, post-secondary employment program offered at the University of Missouri through the Thompson Center for 18- to- 25-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder. Often, it is difficult for families to plan how their children with autism will transition into adulthood, but STRIVE steps in to help teach and train these young adults with skills that will translate into gaining and maintaining employment.

“Gaining self-sufficiency through employment is a huge step for many young adults with autism,” Fish said. “Employment can give these young adults a sense of purpose and social belonging beyond simply bringing in income to help support themselves and their families.”

Members of the cohort currently are working at places such as a movie theater, Goodwill, Lucky’s Market, the radiology department at a university hospital and a university accounting office. Three of the five members also are pursuing college degrees at local colleges.

The STRIVE program helped them achieve these positions through direct classroom instruction, peer mentoring with current University of Missouri students, and on-the-job work experience in real jobs with feedback from their supervisors and the STRIVE staff.

This year’s cohort of four STRIVE participants currently is halfway through the first semester and will begin their paid employment experiences in January. Enrollment for next year’s STRIVE program is now open. For more information and to apply for the program, visit: https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/autism-training/strive/.

Rhythm of the Roar

Thompson Center patients, staff, faculty and their families joined together for the Mizzou Homecoming parade! The Thompson Center float featured puzzle pieces, musical instruments and a large Looney Tunes banner decorated by Thompson Center patients at the first Creative Expression on the Spectrum event.

Everyone who participated in the parade had a wonderful time celebrating the Mizzou homecoming and handing out candy to the thousands of people lining the streets to watch the parade. Even Rhett, the Thompson Center support dog, joined in on the fun! It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase some the Thompson Center’s amazing patients and their wonderful artistic ability.

Creative Expression on the Spectrum: Take One

On Oct. 17, Thompson Center patients, families and staff came together to celebrate the first Creative Expression on the Spectrum event. Matching the Mizzou Homecoming theme, “Rhythm of the Roar,” Thompson Center patients and their families were able to create homemade instruments including guitars and drums, as well as decorate real instruments with paint and glitter. Participants also decorated t-shirts and helped color an amazing Looney Tunes banner, donated by the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity.

The banner and the instruments were used to decorate the Thompson Center float during the Mizzou Homecoming parade, and dozens of Thompson Center patients, families, faculty and staff rode and walked with the float during the parade. The event was a huge success, and planning has already begun for the next Creative Expression event, which will take place in early 2018. Thanks again to our generous donors who made this event possible, including David Strumpf, the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, Dollar General, Shakespeare’s Pizza and Jerry’s Instrument Shop.

A picture of a white banner with looney tunes characters printed on it. — The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity created and donated this amazing banner to the Thompson Center.

A young child colors a white banner. — Alaric helps color the Looney Tunes banner.

A young girl colors a white banner — Annabelle helps color the Looney Tunes banner.

A fully colored white banner. — The completed Looney Tunes banner was used on the Thompson Center float at the Mizzou Homecoming parade.

A young boy shows a small drum made out of a nuts can. — Anders plays a drum he constructed himself.

Two boys paint homemade guitars made out of tissue boxes. — Two participants decorate their homemade guitars.

A picture of a t-shirt with the words "Different, not less" written on it. — A t-shirt celebrating autism made at the Creative Expression event.

A young boy paints a tissue box. — A young boy decorates his homemade guitar.

An adolescent boy sticks beads on his homemade guitar. — Trevor decorates his homemade guitar with beads.

A girl hands a plastic egg to a toddler. — Macy Oliver hands a plastic egg shaker to Violet, who enjoys playing her musical instrument.

Express Yourself

David Strumpf’s son Steven was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) when he was five years old. Over the last 20 years, David watched Steven’s growth evolve as he would express many of his ideas through art and a unique understanding of geometric shapes and positioning.

David remarked at Steven’s ability to draw very sophisticated mazes at a young age and watched as this skill evolved into hand drawings with extreme detail and accuracy. Later, these skills evolved into computer graphic design and animation.

“Through many years of help from the Thompson Center and learning to adapt to the world of neuro-typicals, Steven has learned to adapt and accept our society’s limitations,” Strumpf said. “He has been through extreme challenges in life and has become an extremely accomplished independent citizen with interests in computer programming, animation design and hand drawn art. I’ve always been interested in visual, auditory and geometric art but Steven has shown me a deeper level of perspective and appreciation of how powerful and important art is in our lives. We are so proud of him and thankful to the support services received through the Thompson Center.”

To show his thanks to the Thompson Center, honor his son’s interests in art, and help raise awareness of the importance of celebrating the talent within everyone, David Strumpf decided to help create the Creative Expression on the Spectrum program at the Thompson Center.

“My work with family support agencies has taught me that everyone is on the greater spectrum of life and autism can often yield a super-ability that is perceived by society as a disability,” Strumpf said. “We all fear what we do not understand. My goal is to help communicate awareness of talent, diversity and acceptance while finding untapped Golden Value that is right in front of us. It is not a coincidence that the first two letters of Autism contain the symbol for Gold (Au)!”

Creative Expression on the Spectrum is a program that includes quarterly art events hosted by the Thompson Center which will give people with ASD the opportunity to express themselves through different art projects, including painting, drawing and music. These events will be held throughout Columbia and will serve as an opportunity to connect Thompson Center patients and other individuals with ASD with the greater Columbia community.

“Art of all kinds is what I believe leads to passion-based life-long learning,” Strumpf said. “This is what leads to an individual’s realization of the ‘why.’ I believe that people with autism are searching for the ‘why’ and we all are poor communicators on this topic. The more we can do to allow exploration, self-expression and advancement of the arts—the higher quality of life will become probable for everyone. The bigger question should be ‘why not?!’”

The first Creative Expression on the Spectrum event will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the Thompson Center Research & Training Facility (across the parking lot to the main Thompson Center clinic building.) All Thompson Center patients and their families are invited to attend. This event has adopted Mizzou’s Homecoming theme “Rhythm of the Roar.” Participants can decorate donated instruments as well as create their own instruments, or participate in other drawing/coloring projects. People of all ages are welcome to attend! All participants also are invited to bring their new instruments and walk or ride with the Thompson Center Homecoming Parade float on the morning of Oct. 21.

For information about Creative Expression on the Spectrum or how you also can support this program or other Thompson Center programs, contact Krista Hughes, hugheskl@health.missouri.edu or 573-884-5164.

TIPS4Kids: Meeting the Care Needs for Special Needs

As one of the nation’s premier autism centers, the Thompson Center strives to provide the best patient care, autism research and training possible. As a part of the University of Missouri, one of the Thompson Center’s primary missions also is to provide high-quality education and training to students to prepare them for success throughout their careers and their lives.

Dr. Connie Brooks, an associate clinical professor of health psychology in the MU School of Health Professions, is beginning her first year as the director of TIPS4Kids.

Intersecting these important missions is the Training in Interdisciplinary Partnerships (TIPS4Kids ) program housed at the Thompson Center. While TIPS4Kids has trained students at Mizzou for 19 years, Dr. Connie Brooks, an associate clinical professor of health psychology in the MU School of Health Professions, is beginning her first year as the director of the program. She says this program is helping meet the growing shortage of special needs health care providers around the country.

“With the number of children being diagnosed with autism, as well as other special needs, growing every year, the health care system is falling behind in providing enough well-trained professionals to provide care for these children,” Brooks said. “TIPS4Kids is one of the ways we are combatting this shortage: by increasing the number and improving the training of future health care professionals in Missouri and around the nation.”

TIPS4Kids, which is the result of a partnership between the University of Missouri and the UMKC Institute for Human Development, provides valuable interdisciplinary training for MU students pursuing careers helping children with special needs.

The year-long program brings together graduate students in speech/language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, health management informatics and social work so they all can learn about serving special needs kids together. Additionally, the program hosts parent- and self-advocates to provide insightful family and patient perspectives. Brooks says having students from so many disciplines in the same room, learning together, creates a very effective learning environment.

“It is very valuable to the students to be able to discuss the implications of certain treatments or therapies for children with special needs with people who have different perspectives,” Brooks said. “A physical therapy student might have one perspective about a therapy while a psychology student might have different ideas. Allowing them to learn from each other and see all sides of issues really allows these students to grow and become better.”

The fall semester of the program takes place in a classroom setting, while the spring semester allows the students to get hands-on experience working with patients in a clinic setting. While the program has been successful for years, Brooks has some ideas for moving the program forward.

“We are working on giving students more hands-on experiences, because learning by doing, especially in the health field, is really the best way to educate,” Brooks said. “We also want to find ways to create smaller teams of students that can work together closely throughout the year and learn from each other, the teaching faculty and the patients all at the same time. We know this will result in more, better-trained health care providers in the future to help meet the needs that are growing.”

This year, 14 MU students are taking part in TIPS4Kids, but Brooks hopes to grow the program in the future. TIPS4Kids is the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) training program in the state of Missouri. This program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

2017 Thompson Center Autism Conference

The Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders held its 12th annual autism conference on Sept. 21-22 in Chesterfield, Mo. This year’s conference set a record with 500 participants. This year’s participants included health care providers, special educators, behavior analysts and parents who work with people with autism on a regular basis.

Speakers at the conference included some of the most well-recognized leaders in autism care and research, including keynote speakers Dr. Wendy Chung from the Simons Foundation and Dr. James McPartland from the Yale School of Medicine. This year’s conference also featured a research poster session where researchers from around the Midwest were able to present their study findings to conference participants and fellow researchers.

A photo of a large room full of people listening to a speaker. — A record-breaking 500 autism professionals and parents attended the 2017 Thompson Center Autism Conference.

Dr. Wendy Chung, Director of Clinical Research at SFARI at the Simons Foundation, gives the Thursday morning keynote address at a podium. — Dr. Wendy Chung, Director of Clinical Research at SFARI at the Simons Foundation, gives the Thursday morning keynote address.

A women speaks face to face with a man. — Dr. Wendy Chung discusses her research with a conference attendee.

A man standing in front of poster speaks with a woman. — Mario Wilson, an undergraduate student at the University of Missouri, presents his research during the Autism Conference research poster session.

A woman listens intently to a speaker. — Conference participants listen intently to one of the speakers. Speakers at this year’s conference were selected for their internationally renowned expertise in autism.

Dr. Stephen Kanne speaks at the conference at a podium. — Dr. Stephen Kanne, Executive Director of the Thompson Center, gives the conference audience an update on his research with Cognoa.

University of Missouri’s Thompson Center expands to strengthen autism research

With two new conference rooms, more space for research and room to expand, leaders at the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders see plenty of opportunities.

The Thompson Center, which is part of the University of Missouri, expanded to increase its footprint and accomplish more research, Executive Director Stephen Kanne said.

Early Data from National Autism Study Gives Glimpse of Autism in America

National study needs thousands of additional participants with autism

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The picture of autism in America is becoming clearer, as the nation’s largest autism genetics study releases initial results. To date, the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) study has enrolled nearly 28,000 people with autism. Launched last year, the University of Missouri Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders has partnered with SPARK to collect at least 50,000 genetic profiles from people with autism in order to better determine the causes of autism. Early SPARK data reveals that:

–12 percent of children with autism were born prematurely, which is more often than typically developing children.

–Adults with autism are nearly twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety as the general population.

–Among all SPARK participants with autism, 58 percent are able to communicate by speaking in complex sentences.

–32 percent of SPARK participants have also been diagnosed with ADHD.

To date, approximately 50 genes have been identified that almost certainly play a role in autism, though scientists estimate that at least 300 more genes also are involved. SPARK seeks to identify these hundreds of genes related to autism. Researchers are learning how biological and environmental factors may contribute to the development of the disorder.

The Thompson Center is one of a select group of national research institutions chosen by the Simons Foundation to assist with recruitment for the study. While the SPARK effort at the University of Missouri is being led by Thompson Center Executive Director Stephen Kanne and his team, participants from across the country can complete the online enrollment. Currently, the Thompson Center has recruited 3,047 SPARK participants to join the study.

“SPARK empowers researchers to make new discoveries that ultimately will lead to the development of new supports and treatments to improve lives,” Kanne said. “SPARK is one of the most innovative research endeavors to date, and we encourage anyone with autism, along with their families, to take part in this project.”

Online registration takes about 20-30 minutes and DNA is gathered through saliva kits shipped to participants at no cost. Anyone interested in learning more about SPARK or in participating in the study can visit: www.SPARKforAutism.org/MUTC, or contact Amanda Shocklee at (573) 884-6092 or shockleea@missouri.edu. Additional statistics from the first SPARK Snapshot can be found here.

More about SPARK

SPARK is a national autism research initiative that will connect individuals with a professional diagnosis of autism and their biological family members to research opportunities to advance our understanding of autism. Researchers involved in SPARK not only want to better understand autism but to accelerate the development of new treatments and supports.

SPARK was designed to be easily accessible to the entire autism community, and was designed in consultation with adults with autism, parents, researchers, clinicians, service providers and advocates.

Registering for this first-of-its-kind initiative can be done entirely online at no cost. DNA will be collected via saliva kits shipped directly to participants. SPARK will provide access to online resources and the latest research in autism, which may provide participants and families with valuable information to help address daily challenges.

For researchers, SPARK provides a large, well-characterized cohort of genetic, medical and behavioral data, and will result in cost savings for researchers by reducing startup costs for individual studies.

SPARK is partnering with 25 clinical sites across the country as well as autism organizations, service providers and key influencers to help spread the word about SPARK and to recruit participants. Through these strategic partnerships, the Simons Foundation hopes to reach and engage a diverse and large number of individuals and families affected by autism.

About the Thompson Center

The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri is a national leader in confronting the challenges of autism spectrum disorder and other developmental conditions through its collaborative research, training and service programs. Founded in 2005, the Thompson Center’s diagnostic, assessment and treatment services emphasize family-centered care that is comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, culturally sensitive, and accessible for all.

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Autism and the doctor visit: Communication tips for success

Doctor visits can be a challenge for patients with autism, their families and healthcare providers. In my role as a pediatrician, I’ve summarized several steps that providers and families can take to make medical visits more successful.