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Courtesy The Autism Project Nonprofit Profile | The Autism Project The Autism Project helps families learn more about their children’s capacity to interact with the world around them. By Rob Heidrick Basic childhood activities are not always about fun and games—even the simplest routines can help teach fundamental skills that determine a child’s path to adulthood. For children living with autism, picking up life skills and behaviors can be a significant hurdle, and their families often rely on outside guidance during these formative years. The Autism Project, a nonprofit initiative within the University of Texas Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, aims to further explore this idea by hosting educational programs that not only teach life skills to children with autism, but also provide hands-on experience for university students entering health and education fields. “In the world of autism spectrum disorders, there’s a lot of searching and seeking,” Director of Research Jody L. Jensen said. “People say, ‘If there’s something that might work, I’ll try,’ because it is so unknown still. We do not know the cause; we do not know why the numbers are rising; we do not know a cure. What we do know is that educationally, these children have an incredible capacity to learn and that it is interaction and time on task that makes a big difference.” The Autism Project offers instructional workshops that range from three hours to three days long, all of which are designed to extend beyond the traditional lecture format, Director of Programs Pam Buchanan said. “Parents can go to a workshop or conference and say, ‘This is great information, but what do I do when I pull in my driveway and walk through the door and my child has needs—my family has needs?’” Buchanan said. The nonprofit has hosted programs for families from Round Rock, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Waco, Huntsville, San Antonio and other locations well beyond the UT–Austin campus. Two workshops were held at Blackland Prairie Elementary in Round Rock ISD last spring, and Autism Project volunteers have also led sessions at Ridgeview Middle School. Many of the programs are geared toward the children themselves as well as their families, helping them better understand the behavioral and social abilities of children affected by the disorder. The Autism Project also leads summer camp programs and weekend overnights, providing children with one-on-one mentors and allowing their parents to take an evening for themselves. Another central component of the Autism Project is its focus on research, creating opportunities for UT students to examine the scientific mechanisms behind the disorder. Jensen describes the project’s academic model as “service learning,” which provides hands-on experience for students studying psychology, education, pharmacy, neuroscience, and speech, occupational and physical therapy. This spring, the Autism Project will launch a new program that emphasizes physical activity and the importance of regular exercise. Personal trainers will visit families at their homes twice a week for an eight-week period, leading children in short workout sessions. In addition to promoting physical wellness, Jensen also hopes the program will give researchers insight into the effects of exercise on behavior and mood in children with autism. “We’ve got some literature that says if you can get kids with autism to be moderately to vigorously active for 15 minutes, it really helps to settle them,” Jensen said. “This is a low-cost, big-bang strategy for how parents and schools can help mediate behavior in kids who struggle with autism.” Buchanan said the Autism Project’s biggest challenge is to operate all of its programs with no salaried staff, no dedicated instructional space and no annual budget from the university. The initiative relies on a minimum of $100,000 in private funding each year to operate its current programs, but Buchanan and Jensen have set a goal to raise $3 million to pay for dedicated faculty and additional assistance from graduate students. Buchanan said the organization is Lotus Ob.Gyn OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Newspaper</strong> • impactnews.com May 2010 | 29 Teen Health • Prenatal Counseling • Obstetrical Care Annual Gynecologic Exams • Treatment of Abnormal Pap Smears • Family Planning • Menopause • Urinary Incontinence Minimally Invasive Surgery • Treatment of Abnormal Bleeding Courtesy Chris Caselli developing new programs with Eanes ISD in Westlake this year and has also formed a partnership with Striker Sports in Georgetown. With the continued expansion of the project, the need to build up the program’s resources is becoming increasingly important, she said. The Autism Project coordinates overnight programs in which autistic children spend one-on-one time with mentors. Current and upcoming programs offered through the Autism Project The Autism Project coordinates a variety of programs with families and educators to discuss the latest information on autism and to allow children to participate in social activities. “It’s not a classroom structure,” Director of Research Jody L. Jensen said. “We try to use the typical activities of childhood, but provide greater structure. We continue to work on language skills, behavioral skills, social skills, transition skills.” • Presentations and workshops at education centers and schools throughout Central Texas • Overnight programs in which children are matched with mentors and participate in activities while their parents take a night off • Summer day camps with group playtime • Physical fitness sessions in which personal trainers visit children in their homes for short workouts • Proposed after-school program with the Austin Dog Alliance in which animals would visit children • Planned partnership with Striker Sports in Georgetown in which the Autism Project will offer programs in a new athletics facility For ideas on how to get involved, visit www.autism-society.org. The Autism Project 232-1715 • utap@austin.utexas.edu www.edb.utexas.edu/utap SAIMA JEHANGIR, MD, MPH, FACOG I-35 University Blvd. Exit 256 Lotus Ob.Gyn Seton Center Pkwy. CR 112 FM 1460 301 Seton <strong>Park</strong>way, Ste. 407 Round Rock, TX 78665 512.716.0971 www.lotusobgyn.com
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