Autism Updates: Caregivers Connected, Duke University EAP, Videos for DOL

April 26, 2023 — News and autism updates from ASF, the Autism Science Foundation.

Profound Autism Alliance Hosts Virtual Caregivers Connected Meeting

Judith Ursitti, co-founder of the Profound Autism Alliance, and ECHO autism panelists invite caregivers of profoundly autistic individuals to the first virtual Caregivers Connected meeting on April 27, 2023. The one-hour event will start at 2:00 PM EST. Join up in a supportive, empowering online environment with other caregivers and family of people with profound autism.

Sign up here to receive the Zoom link before the event.

The Profound Autism Alliance is committed to the recognition of the unique challenges that people with profound autism and intellectual disability experience. Their mission is to improve health and connection through inclusive research and focused advocacy that will result in meaningful services and supports for people with profound autism. Judith Ursitti and her daughter Amy Ursitti received the 2023 Caryn Schwartzman Spirit Award from ASF at the 2023 Day of Learning.

ASF CSO Dr. Alycia Halladay on Duke University Discontinuing EAP

As reported by Vice, Duke University recently discontinued its expanded access program (EAP) to unproven stem cell and cord blood treatments for children with autism. Parents of autistic children had been paying for expensive, unproven treatments based on stem cell and blood cord treatments at Duke.

ASF’s Dr. Alycia Halladay contributed to Vice’s article, pointing out the lack of evidence supporting stem cell therapies as a safe or effective treatment for autism. ASF also worked with the International Society of Stem Cell Research to make the FDA aware of the issues surrounding the EAP.

Read the full article here.

All 2023 Day of Learning Videos Now Available

Missed the Day of Learning? Watch the recordings now for updates on cutting edge research and discussions about the future of autism science!