Fall 2005 - Memorial Hospital of South Bend

William Mize, M.D.,
Developmental Pediatrician
Our Most Precious Resource
Grant’s family began noticing signs
of possible developmental delays
in their son when he was just 18
months old. Worried, Kristen took
her son to his pediatrician, who then
referred him to a developmental
specialist. After a few weeks of tests,
Grant was diagnosed with autism.
He and his family are by no means
alone. Over the past 10 years, the
number of U.S. children diagnosed
with autism spectrum disorders has
exploded. Though the reasons for
this dramatic increase have yet to be
determined, many in the scientific
community believe there to be
both an environmental trigger and
a genetic component to autism.
With an estimated 2,000 people
throughout Michiana affected in
some way by a developmental
disorder, specialized pediatric
developmental health care has
become a top priority.
A unique team came together
to create a new local resource.
With financial assistance from
the Schwartz family, long-time,
valued members of the South Bend
community, Memorial and the
University of Notre Dame teamed
up to recruit and help finance the
ongoing expertise of a local
developmental pediatrician.
They found William Mize, M.D.,
who was serving as assistant professor
of pediatrics at the University of
Illinois campus in Peoria.
Dr. Mize serves in a dual role,
both as Medical Director of Child
Development and Behavior at
Memorial and as a researcher in
the University of Notre Dame’s
Psychology Department, where he
evaluates new treatment methods
for autism and ADHD. As a boardcertified
subspecialist in child
development and behavior, Dr. Mize
is very familiar with the increasing
number of cases of autism and other
developmental concerns.
“With the collaboration of many
people throughout this community,
Memorial has created a unique
and special program for children
with developmental delays,” said
Dr. Mize. The result is a clinic that
offers families treatment options for
a number of developmental delays,
as well as education, support and
referrals to other community services.
Continued on page 4
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