April 2025

Dr. Aditya Pawar, the newest psychiatrist at the Lurie Center for Autism, brings not only deep medical knowledge but also a heartfelt commitment to listening to each patient’s story. From his early experiences in India to his specialized work in autism and ADHD, his journey has been shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a drive to make a difference. Read the full interview here. 

On March 8, 2025, the 24th Annual Full Court Charity Challenge took place at Boston University’s Fitness and Recreation Center. This beloved tradition, established in 2000, continues to generate invaluable support for individuals and families living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Proceeds from the event benefit the Nashoba Learning Group and the Lurie Center for Autism.

Special thanks to the Forlenza family, particularly Bob and Karen, for their steadfast dedication to organizing this event since its inception. Heartfelt gratitude also goes out to the sponsors, donors, players, and volunteers who contribute to the event’s ongoing success. 



This year, twenty teams competed across two divisions throughout the day. Congratulations to the winning teams, GameCreek (Open Division) and Oak & Orchard (Corporate Division), and to everyone who helped make this day such a resounding success!

Photo credit: www.angelarowlingsphoto.com

At the Lurie Center for Autism, research isn’t just about data—it’s about people. That’s why we created the Lurie Center Research Registry, a unique way for individuals and families to help guide autism research in a direction that truly matters to them. By enrolling, you can connect with studies that align with your experiences and priorities, ensuring that research reflects the real-life concerns of the autism community. Read more here.

We are pleased to share that Nicole Zürcher Wimmer, PhD, Director of Neuroimaging at the Lurie Center for Autism, has been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Mentoring Award by the Center for Faculty Development at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Dr. Zürcher received the Rising Mentor Award in recognition of her outstanding mentorship of trainees and junior scientists.

One of her trainees highlighted the profound impact of her mentorship, stating: "Dr. Zürcher’s mentorship philosophy underscores the importance of research excellence alongside work-life balance, which has been invaluable in helping me navigate the demands of early-career research."

In addition to her leadership at the Lurie Center, Dr. Zürcher serves as an Assistant Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School and Director of Human Imaging in the Chemical Neuroscience Program at the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging. She specializes in advanced neuroimaging techniques, including PET-MRI, an innovative hybrid technology that combines positron emission tomography (PET) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to generate highly detailed brain images. Dr. Zürcher leverages this cutting-edge approach to deepen our understanding of autism spectrum disorder, providing new insights into its neural mechanisms.

Congratulations, Dr. Zürcher!

The Lurie Center for Autism invites you to join family support clinician and parent, Julie O’Brien LMHC, MSEM for a unique presentation and discussion on how to think about and prepare for emergencies. Disaster preparedness is a critical but often overlooked aspect of community resilience, especially for those who are most vulnerable. Topics covered will include general information about threats/hazards, emergency management and who is involved, the challenges and potential impacts of disasters on individuals who have access and functional needs, and strategies for how to be better prepared. Julie will share valuable resources including common checklists and toolkits. We will also discuss ways to be proactive and collaborative with community partners so as to prioritize inclusive resilience. Time will be left for questions and discussion. Registration is required.

Recent estimates suggest that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects about 1 in 36 children living in the United States. Since ASD tends to run in families, approximately 1 in 5 younger siblings of autistic children will also be diagnosed with ASD themselves. In this article, we’ll explore what is known about spoken language development in babies who have at least one older sibling with autism and summarize practical evidence-based ways to support their language development. Read the full article here.

The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) is currently recruiting adults (18 - 40 years old) with autism spectrum disorder for a research study. The study includes questionnaires and a brain imaging scan. The first visit may occur in Charlestown, MA or Lexington, MA. The subsequent 1-2 visits will be in Charlestown, MA. Participants will be compensated up to $235 for their time. Click here to learn more.

View currently enrolling Lurie Center research studies.