STAR Winter 2024 Newsletter: Current Research Projects and Community Involvement

STAR Newsletter

Winter 2024

The UVA STAR Initiative is excited to spotlight our current research projects in the news, and to showcase our local and international community involvement.

STAR RESEARCH

Research in the News

Comparing Mental Health Therapies for Autistic Adults

The goal of this study is to compare how well two virtual mental health therapy programs

work for autistic adults with anxiety and/or depression.

The study plans to enroll 300 autistic adults from across Virginia and North Carolina, making it the largest study of its kind.

Get Involved

If you identify as an autistic adult (18 years old or older) with anxiety and/or depression in Virginia, you may be eligible for this study.

Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to one of two virtual-based therapy programs: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or Mindfulness-Based Therapy.

The therapy programs will be at no cost to the participant and will be conducted weekly. The therapy program may take up to 18 weeks.

At three time points, participants will complete various assessments, which will include questions about their mental health, quality of life, and experiences with the therapy they receive.

All participants will be compensated for their time during these assessments, up to $150.

If you are interested in participating this in project, click below.

Interest Survey

Read the full news article here:

Full Article

Including Preschoolers with Autism in Classrooms

These studies provide strategies for preschool teachers to include toddlers and preschoolers with disabilities in community-based early learning centers.

One in six children with autism is expelled from preschool in the United States. These programs offer trainings to address that problem.

Get Involved

Using a newly developed program, Dr. Mandy Rispoli's team is working to understand what behaviors are trying to communicate. They can then make changes to the environment and support the child in other communication methods.

This pilot program is starting in Charlottesville and Norfolk schools.

These results will be part of a larger study to implement this new process in early childhood programs around the state.

Read the full news article here:

Full Article

Dr. Rispoli's team is also developing and testing a teacher training program for community-based early childhood educators.

This study is looking for lead early childhood teachers of children ages 2 to 5 years for a 12-week program that includes 3 monthly half-day workshops and weekly online small group coaching sessions.

Participants will be compensated up to $200 for their time.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

STAR in Local and International Communities

STAR IN KENYA

Dr. Mandy Rispoli recently visited Kenya, where she and her team spoke about trends in autism assessment/treatment, delivering diagnostic feedback, preparing leaders in autism, and advances in understanding behaviors in autism.

AUTISM ADVOCACY DAY

Members of STAR met with Virginia House and Senate representatives to discuss current needs that are impacting the autism community in Virginia and the steps needed to move forward.

UPCOMING AUTISM TALKS

In a series of talks at the First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia, Dr. William Therrien will guide participants in expanding their understanding of autism.

Apr. 9 at 10:30am & 6:00pm

Important STAR Links

Autism DRIVE

Local events, services, information and research opportunities

Sheila C. Johnson Center

Telehealth, individual therapy, and parent autism training program

STAR Family Navigation

Autism resources, referrals, and support for families in Virginia

About STAR

The mission of the UVA Supporting Transformative Autism Research (STAR) initiative is to improve the lives of individuals with autism and their families through research, education, and outreach. STAR brings together researchers, community partners, individuals with autism, and their families to leverage strengths and address challenges. Our ultimate goal is to empower individuals with autism, their families, and their communities to achieve positive outcomes and quality of life.

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