What's Happening at Aspire:
- April Vacation Week registration now available:
- Summer 2018 registration is open:
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This month, we are honored to have a special guest author writing for Aspire Wire. Jennifer Lucas Young is an Aspire parent, and we greatly appreciate that she has shared her perspective and experiences as a parent with us.
By Jennifer Lucas Young
My six year old daughter was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in June 2016. After receiving the results of her neuropsych testing, I sat in my parked car and Googled "What is autism" on my phone. I didn't know what it meant, what the range of possible outcomes was, and how our lives and expectations of the future were going to change. Back in the office, the neuropsychiatrist had been very clear: Your daughter is definitely on the autism spectrum. I was not prepared in the least to be a special needs mom.
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Check Out Our New Videos!
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We love summer!
At Aspire, summer means new beginnings for all of our participants, from our youngest campers to our summer Internship participants. And we are very excited to
share our NEW videos with you about summer at Aspire!
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Lurie Center for Autism
The Lurie Center for Autism at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children is looking for participants for their currently enrolling studies. For additional information about study requirements and study procedures, please contact Dr. Christopher McDougle's or
Dr. Ann Neumeyer's
study staff at 781-860-1711 or
LurieCenterResearch@partners.org
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Have a look at the research opportunities we currently have available:
- Investigation of Neuroinflammation in Autism - Seeking men and women aged 18-40 years with and without autism to participate in an investigation of the structure and function of the brain of adults with and without autism using MR-PET scans. Participants are compensated for their time.
- Sidekicks - Enrolling children ages 6 to 11 years 6 months diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This study will determine the success rate of Affinities Therapy, a therapy model using the Sidekicks mobile application for children with ASD.
The Bressler Clinical and Research Center
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ASD Namenda Study Taking Place at MGH -
This 12-week study seeks to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Namenda (memantine) for the treatment of core features of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children and adolescents. Deficits in social interaction are the central feature of ASD and often result in significant impairment for individuals with High Functioning-ASD. Available data from past treatment studies of Namenda demonstrates improvements in a range of impairments including attentional and social skills in individuals with ASD. Eligible subjects, children ages 8-17 with a DSM-V diagnosis of ASD, will be enrolled to receive either placebo or Namenda. Subjects also complete a pre and post-treatment brain scan before and after treatment with Namenda.
For more info, contact Abigail Belser: 617-724-7079 | abelser@partners.org
- Road Ahead Study at Boston University - Seeking parents or legal guardians and high school students with autism who are in their last year of high school and who will graduate with a regular high school diploma. Aiming to assess post-education outcomes, parents will complete online and mailed surveys and a brief phone interview at two time points separated by 18 months. Youth will complete separate online and mailed surveys. Participation should take 30-60 minutes at each time point. The surveys can be completed from home at a time convenient for you. Parents will receive a $25 gift card and youth will receive a $15 gift card at each time point.This research is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
For more information please contact
buroad@bu.edu or (617) 353-2060.
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| About Aspire
MGH Aspire offers fall, spring and summer programs to help children, teens and adults with high cognitive autism spectrum disorder or a related social profile make social connections and develop independence leading to more successful and fulfilling lives.
MGH Aspire
1 Maguire Road
Lexington, MA 02421
p:781-860-1900
f: 781-860-1920
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For more information about how your donation will make a difference at Aspire:
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Aspire
Internship Program
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