Our compassionate and knowledgeable team is here to address your unique needs and provide the best possible care for your child’s neurodevelopmental journey.
Our compassionate and knowledgeable team is here to address your unique needs and provide the best possible care for your child’s neurodevelopmental journey.
On Sept. 8, Thompson Center faculty and staff were joined by members of the Mizzou and Columbia community to celebrate the grand opening of the new Thompson Center Research & Training Facility.
Dr. Stephen Kanne, executive director of the Thompson Center, was joined by MU Chancellor Alexander Carwright and Provost Garnett Stokes along with Columbia Chamber of Commerce ambassadors for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Thanks to $5 million in state support, the Thompson Center was able to purchase the new facility, located next door to the original Thompson Center building, in order to double the Thompson Center’s physical footprint. This will allow Center faculty and staff to greatly increase the amount of life-changing research and training programs they can accomplish.
Before this new building, the Thompson Center research division often had to work around the Center’s incredibly busy clinic schedule in order to find rooms to conduct studies with patients with autism and other disorders.
This new, dedicated space will allow Thompson Center researchers to greatly increase their research production and recruit the top minds in the autism field to join the Thompson Center. The new space also will increase the opportunities for Mizzou students to learn and perform research at the Thompson Center. Also, this building will open up clinic space, increasing the amount of patient care Thompson Center clinicians can provide.
Likewise, increasing the amount of training space will greatly expand how many people around the state and nation that can receiving training on best practices for autism care from Thompson Center experts. The new space will be able to host hundreds of parents, teachers, medical professionals, psychologists and others every year in this new space, taking what is learned in the research and clinical divisions of the Thompson Center and sharing it with the world.
Lea Ann Lowery, Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, will serve as the MU School of Health Professions’ first Faculty Fellow for Interprofessional Education.
It took less than a week into his kindergarten year for Kameryn Jackson’s teachers and parents, Bryan and Kristina, to know something was wrong. Kameryn was showing aggressive behavior toward his teachers and peers and often would run out of the classroom.
Almost daily, Kristina would be called away from work to drive 30 miles home to Fulton in order to take Kameryn home from school or to help deal with behavioral problems.
“He always had showed some symptoms of ADHD and had certain sensory issues, but we always thought, ‘oh, that’s just Kameryn being Kameryn,’” said Kristina Jackson, Kameryn’s mother. “He always got along well at home with his younger sister Shelby and baby brother Cooper, but perhaps we all just knew how to deal with him and his quirks. Once he started going to school it was a different story.”
Kameryn speaks well, but often has trouble communicating when he has a need or a problem.
Along with Kameryn’s teachers, Kristina, who has worked at the Thompson Center as an administrative assistant for clinical services since 2009, knew she needed to have the Thompson Center experts meet with him.
Kameryn, 7, with his sister Shelby, 6.
In 2015, Kameryn received services from the traditional autism diagnostic and evaluation clinic (ADEC) with Dr. Brooks and Dr. Sohl at the Thompson Center and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
“Dr. Brooks really took her time to sit and explain everything that they were seeing during the diagnostic evaluation so that both Bryan and I could see exactly why Kameryn would be getting an ASD diagnosis,” Kristina said. “Likewise, Dr. Sohl spent just as much time giving us a thorough medical evaluation and looking at all of the different needs that Kameryn may need over the next several years.”
Kristina says the lead up to the ADEC appointment was one of the roughest times for her family because they were not sure how to help Kameryn. However, she says receiving the diagnosis gave the family a clear path forward.
“At the time of diagnosis, it was an immediate lightbulb moment for us and suddenly things seemed to start falling into place,” Kristina said. “The Thompson Center faculty and staff made sure we were completely comfortable during our evaluation and we received nothing but the best care from the entire team. We couldn’t have asked for better care during such a life-changing moment.”
Since his diagnosis, Kameryn regularly has been seeing Dr. Sohl in the autism medical clinic and he meets with Thompson Center dietician Sheila Chapman to help him and his family work around his picky eating habits. Last year, he participated in Leaps Ahead, where he learned how to better handle situations where he isn’t always in control, such as in a classroom setting.
“Kameryn learned that he cannot always be the boss, and Leaps Ahead definitely taught him how to handle his frustrations in a more civilized manner, rather than lashing out,” Kristina said.
Kameryn also has received speech therapy, where he has learned how to better communicate his needs rather than getting upset and not getting what is needed. Kristina says occupational therapy also has been a great help.
“The Picky Eaters group has been wonderful for Kameryn because he has learned that even though a food may not look the same, it may still taste the same,” Kristina said. “Now, we are able to get him to try new foods with minimal arguments, which has helped increase the variety of his food choices.”
Kameryn rides a bike at the iCan Bike camp.
Fast forward two years and Kameryn now is seven years old and has begun the 2nd grade. With an individualized education plan in place and consistent support from his teachers and paraprofessional, Kameryn has made great strides academically and socially in school. He is able to spend the majority of his time in the general education classroom with his peers.
“With increased support from the school and our extended family, the difference at school is night and day,” Kristina said. “Kameryn will still experience some aggressive behavior, but Bryan and I are now able to sit down with him afterward and discuss what happened and how to better handle those situations in the future.”
Even outside of school, Kristina has noticed a huge difference in the types of activities Kameryn is willing to try.
“Kameryn has always gotten along well with his siblings, but there are activities he used to be too scared to try, like swimming or riding his bike,” Kristina said. “When we would go to the pool, he used to just stand in the shallow end with his head above the water. Now he will put his head under the water and he swims like a fish.”
Kameryn spent part of his summer attending the iCan Bike camp in Fulton. He now rides his bike everywhere without training wheels, worry-free.
“It has been a journey,” Kristina said. “Sometimes it seems like much longer than just two years since he was diagnosed. Other times it seems like just last month. The Thompson Center not only has helped Kameryn immensely, but it also has helped Bryan and me become strong advocates for our son. We know we have more challenges ahead, but with the support we receive from our family, community and the Thompson Center, we know we can meet them head on in the future.”
In 2005, Bill and Nancy Thompson saw the need for a top-flight center for autism research and care. So they created the William S. and Nancy E. Thompson Charitable Lead Trust, a 10-year gift to the University of Missouri to establish the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Since that time, the Thompson Center has grown into one of the leading autism centers in the country.
For the past 10 years, the Thompsons’ charitable lead trust provided substantial financial support to the general operation of the Thompson Center. However, when the trust expired in December 2016, it became necessary to create a new funding source to provide annual support to the Thompson Center’s operations.
To meet this urgent need, the Thompsons have donated $4 million to create the William S. and Nancy E. Challenge Fund. Along with an additional gift of $744,000 from another donor through the Thompson Foundation for Autism, the Challenge Fund was established with an initial balance of $4.75 million, with an ultimate goal of raising $12 million. Once this goal is reached, the Fund will provide the Thompson Center with renewable annual support that will match the annual funding received from the initial Thompson gift.
“Our top priority is to ensure a stable revenue source for the Thompson Center in perpetuity,” said Ron Ashworth, president of the board of the Thompson Foundation for Autism. “We are challenging the great supporters of the Thompson Center and of quality autism care, research and training to help match and exceed the $12 million goal.”
This funding stream will support the vital operations budget for the Thompson Center, which includes facilities maintenance and utility bills, nurses, family resource services and front desk staff. Without this funding, the Thompson Center would not be able to continue generating the quality autism care, research and training the Center has been able to provide over the last 12 years.
“Often, it is difficult to raise money for these important operating funds because they aren’t nearly as ‘flashy’ as supporting a more specific program or project within the Thompson Center,” said Krista Hughes, director of advancement at the Thompson Center.
“However, without unrestricted operational support, none of the incredible Thompson Center programs would be possible because we won’t be able to cover the high costs of providing those services. Thanks to the Thompsons’ foresight, this Challenge Fund will help us leverage their generosity to raise the full amount of money we need to operate at the highest level.”
As is typical with autism care, the Thompson Center loses money on every patient visit due to current levels of health insurance reimbursements. The Challenge Fund is vital to provide help in offsetting this deficit.
“We have so many amazing plans for growing the Thompson Center and adding new services, training opportunities and research projects, but in order to move forward with these plans, it is essential that we solidify funding for our basic operating needs,” said Dr. Stephen Kanne, executive director of the Thompson Center. “By giving to the Challenge Fund, our supporters can help us firm up our solid foundation so we can continue our outstanding growth for decades to come.”
For more information about the Challenge Fund, contact Krista Hughes at HughesKL@health.missouri.edu or (573) 884-5164.
A physician at Texas County Memorial Hospital recently completed a program that qualified him for helping families detect autism in their children.
Dr. William Wright, family medicine physician at the Houston complex, finished the “ECHO Autism STAT Program” at the University of Missouri. The intensive training covers the identification of autism spectrum disorder and the management of common medical and psychiatric concerns in children with autism spectrum disorder.
The Thompson Center has a training program and designates businesses which complete it as autism-friendly business. It’s part of the Thompson Center’s effort to make the community more inclusive.
Many children with autism spectrum disorder experience significant gastrointestinal issues, but the cause of these symptoms is unknown. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders have found that diet is not a contributing factor in these individuals. The researchers hope the findings could help lead to improved treatment options.
COLUMBIA, MO (April 20, 2017) — Before a near-sellout crowd at the Missouri Theatre, comedians Kathleen Madigan and Lewis Black performed for the first Arts for Autism production benefiting the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders at University of Missouri.
Hosted by the center’s fundraising arm, the Thompson Foundation for Autism, the event raised more than $100,000 to support the Thompson Center.
“Kathleen and Lewis were incredibly generous to agree to perform for this event and support children and families affected by autism,” said Thompson Foundation Executive Director Al Eberhard.
Arts for Autism is an expansion of the longstanding inclusive arts experience offered by the Thompson Center called Art for Autism, where children and their families join three weeks of art classes in the spring and fall. For the last three years, the classes have been held at Access Arts.
“We know many children with autism struggle with communication challenges, and many children are drawn to the visual, musical or performing arts as another way to express themselves,” said Thompson Center Executive Director Stephen Kanne. “Having the opportunity to offer a night of world-class standup comedy under that umbrella to the Columbia community has been a success beyond all of our expectations.”
In addition to the two headliners, the evening featured two amateur performers. Nathan Walton, a 20-year-old man with autism who has been a patient at the center for 17 years, performed his own piano arrangements while guests found their seats.
Madigan’s 9-year-old nephew, Patrick, also took the stage to test his comic prowess with a couple of jokes as his parents introduced Madigan as the final act.
Patrick’s mom, Ellie Madigan, shared with the crowd how much her family struggled to find help for the challenges Patrick was dealing with.
“The Thompson Center was the first place that said, ‘Yes, we know what it is, and we can help you.'”
COLUMBIA, MO (April 12, 2017) – As the University of Missouri community returned to town at the end of spring break, more than 100 guests visited Faurot Field to celebrate World Autism Day with the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders and community partners for Light It Up Blue.
“We encourage families and businesses to participate in Light It Up Blue to show support for individuals with autism to raise awareness and acceptance of autism,” said Dr. Stephen Kanne, executive director of the Thompson Center.
Light It Up Blue, a public awareness campaign begun in 2005 by national autism advocacy organization Autism Speaks, encourages individuals, groups and businesses to light their homes and buildings with blue lightbulbs on April 2 each year to commemorate World Autism Day. Many participants continue the practice throughout April, which is World Autism Month.
Columbia organizations that serve individuals with autism partnered with the Thompson Center to bring fun activities, games and prizes for attendees. Boone County Family Resources, Alternative Community Training, Services for Independent Living, Moberly Area Community College, Columbia Public Schools, MU’s School of Health Professions and Woodhaven were joined by MU Children’s Hospital mascot TJ to share the afternoon with families touched by autism in the Columbia area.
Tables set up around the north concourse offered bubble-blowing stations, carnival-style games and craft stations, provided by each of the community partner organizations.
In addition, attendees were also entered into door prize contests.
Two of Kristy Jackson’s children won prize baskets, including her son, Kameryn, whose birthday is April 2.
“He had a blast,” Jackson said. “It felt like a huge birthday party for him.”
