Canisius College

The 2012 Summer Social Development Research Study (formerly known as Connections) is for 7-12 year old children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (Asperger’s, high-functioning autism, and PDDNOS). This program has been studied extensively and found to be highly effective in promoting the social skills and performance of these children. The program targets social skills, face and emotion recognition, interpretation of non-literal language, and interest expansion using fun activities in a camp format. The 2012 program will be conducted for 5 weeks (Monday – Friday) from 8:50am – 4:10pm from June 25th through July 27th.

If you are interested in having your child participate in this program, please submit:

• Documentation of Diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism, Asperger’s, or PDD-NOS) by a medical doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist·        
• Family Information Form (MS Word.doc) (required) – please print, complete, and submit·        
• Psychological and/or psychiatric reports·        
• Speech and language reports·        
• Most recent IEP (if receives special education services)·        
• Other relevant educational records and special education documents
  
  Submit via mail, email, or fax to:
  
  Marcus Thomeer, Ph.D.
  Institute for Autism Research
  Health Science Building, Room 209
  Canisius College
  2001 Main Street
  Buffalo, NY 14208
  
  Fax Number: (716) 888-8540
  Email: thomeerm@canisius.edu
  
  For questions, contact Dr. Thomeer at thomeerm@canisius.edu or 716-888-3188.

This study is evaluating the effectiveness of conducting an afterschool program based on the summer social development program for 7-12 year old children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (Asperger’s, high-functioning autism, and PDDNOS). The treatment will be provided over 18-24 weeks (two to three 90-minute sessions per week) during the 2012-13 school year.  The sessions will be conducted from 4:30 to 6:00PM. The program focuses on social skills, interest expansion, interpretation of non-literal language (idioms), and face and emotion recognition. Each 90-minute treatment session contains instruction, role play and modeling and therapeutic activities to practice skills. All eligible children will receive treatment; half will receive the treatment program first and the other half will receive treatment following completion of the first group.

If you are interested in having your child participate in this program, please submit:

Documentation of Diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism, Asperger’s, or PDD-NOS) by a medical doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist

• Family Information Form (MS Word.doc) (required) – please print, complete, and submit      
• Psychological and/or psychiatric reports    
• Speech and language reports     
• Most recent IEP (if receives special education services)       
• Other relevant educational records and special education documents

Submit via mail, email, or fax to:

Marcus Thomeer, Ph.D.
Institute for Autism Research
Health Science Building, Room 209
Canisius College
2001 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14208

Fax Number: (716) 888-8540
Email: thomeerm@canisius.edu

If you are 18 years of age or older and have a formal diagnosis of (high functioning) autism, Asperger's syndrome or Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS), please consider participating in this study. I am a researcher at the University at Buffalo - the State University of New York and an affiliated researcher at the Institute for Autism Research, Canisius College. I am interested in understanding your experiences with career planning and/or job attainment. Your information will be valuable in helping people like me who would like to develop some formal career support in the future for individuals with these diagnoses.

This study has been approved by the University at Buffalo. More details will be found as you enter the weblink provided below. This study will take no more than 90 minutes if you complete the survey all at once. However, if you keep this weblink you can return to the survey site later and complete it at your own pace. There will be no identifiable or personal information that will be collected therefore your privacy is assured.

There will be a brief self screening, information about this study, your rights, what you will be asked to do in this study, and some contact information. A demographic form and several surveys will follow. Those surveys are about your confidence in getting a job, dealing with stress in a job (if you have one), types of supports, barriers, career goals, career expectations, and career interests.

Thank you again for your consideration and interest in participating. Please proceed by entering the following weblink:

www.surveymonkey.com/s/cseforhfasds

Gloria K. Lee, Ph.D., CRC
Associate Professor
University at Buffalo - the State University of New York
Buffalo, NY
14260-1000
E-mail: glee4@buffalo.edu