We hope this greeting finds you happy and well this holiday season! As we celebrate the holidays and approach the final weeks of the year, we are especially grateful for all of the relationships with CAR families and supporters who have become part of our lives this past year, and indeed over the past decade!
2018 marked CAR's 10th anniversary, which we celebrated with a special report on our research. Each year, your partnership has brought us closer to breakthroughs that will vastly improve clinicians' ability to support individuals with autism in a personalized way over the course of their lifetime. Here are a few of the milestones we have achieved with your support:
Since 2008, more than 10,000 individuals have participated in 200+ autism studies at CAR. These studies have produced more than 750 research articles published in peer-reviewed journals.
CAR has provided evidence-based education and resources to over 5,000 parents, professionals, and self-advocates attending our Next Steps workshops. We recently added an online participation option to allow more families access.
CAR brain imaging research found brain differences that can identify at-risk infants who go on to develop ASD by age 2 years with about 90% accuracy. Since the average age of diagnosis is age 4, this presents a remarkable opportunity to intervene before symptoms emerge.
CAR's Technology & Innovation Lab developed a revolutionary tool to diagnose ASD based on a 3-minute video of a social conversation in children and adults.
CHOP established its first biorepository for ASD. This virtual warehouse combines de-identified genetic data with corresponding medical, developmental, and behavioral information to accelerate research on the causes of ASD and to develop more effective treatments.
We end this year more inspired than ever for the future as we expand our programs to primary care clinics, community-based settings, and the virtual world. We hope you'll come along with us!
Happy Holidays and THANK YOU, from all of us!
We wish you and your family very best for the New Year!
Fondly,
Robert T. Schultz and the entire family at CHOP's Center for Autism Research
