Upstate Medical University Expert Part Of Major Study On Defining Standard Of Care For People With Autism

Press release from Upstate Medical University:

March 7, 2022

An Upstate professor of pediatrics has been awarded a grant that could help define the standard of care across the country–and possibly the world–for behavior interventions for people with autism.

Henry Roane, PhD, division chief of the Center for Development, Behavior and Genetics at Upstate and the executive director for the Golisano Center for Special Needs, is among a team of four experts that received a grant from Autism Speaks to work toward improving care for autistic people experiencing severe behavioral challenges.

Currently, no large-scale studies have evaluated a clinical framework to assess and treat behavioral issues in autistic children and adults.

Roane will work with Wayne Fisher, PhD, BCBA-D, from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Matthew Siegal, MD, Maine Behavioral Health Care; and Eric Butter, PhD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“It really has the potential to define the care for this population, so we are super excited about it,” Roane said. “It’s a really interesting opportunity. And for Upstate it is a good opportunity because it aligns us with other really well-known centers around the country.”

Children and adults with autism can struggle with disruptive behaviors that put themselves or others at risk. Research shows that one-third of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder experience self-harming behaviors and that more than half of autistic children and teens have been physically aggressive toward others. These behaviors often are the result of difficulty communicating, scenery overwhelm, stress or anxiety. Roane says children who exhibit these behaviors typically don’t have language or self-help skills.

“These behaviors are things that really prevent children from achieving their potential,” Roane said.

Roane said the award is a planning grant designed to synthesize current information in two ways.

The first is to put together the current state of practices around challenging behavior, from what’s happening in schools to pediatrician offices to specialized clinics.

“No one has quantified that to date,” Roane said. “That’s aim number one. What is the standard of care right now?”

This press release was produced by Upstate Medical University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.