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Autism Spectrum Disorders: Research and Resources

Rachel Rock Photography.

1 in 68 U.S. children have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. In Maryland, 1 in 60 children are on the Spectrum.

These statistics were released this spring in a report conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 
 
In the second part of this interview, we’ll hear from Dr. Li-Ching Lee, the School’s principal investigator for that report and Dr. RebeccaLanda, of Kennedy Krieger. 
 
But first, we want to get a picture of what it’s like for one family who has a child with ASD, an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
 
Alisa Rock has two sons, Conor and Aiden. Conor is 15-years-old and he has moderate autism. Alisa Rock interviewed her son Conor last week, and we learned a little more about him. You can learn more about Conor's art therapy in this videofrom Real Look Autism

Alisa Rock writes the blog “Rock Autism Experience.” 

In the second part of the show, Sheilah Kast is joined by Dr. Rebecca Landa, Director of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, CARD, at Kennedy Krieger Institute. She talks about new research, and updates us on new resources for children and parents. One resource that Dr. Landa mentioned in the interview, was a 9 minute video that will help parents identify early signs of autism spectrum disorder. You can watch that video here.  And to learn more about the Affordable Care Act's provisions for those who have ASD, go here.  

We also hear from Dr. Li-Ching Lee, a psychiatric epidemiologist with the Bloomberg School's Departments of Epidemiology and Mental Health. Dr. Lee is the principal investigator for the Maryland Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, a program funded by the CDC.

Alisa_Rock_web_extras.mp3
WEB EXTRA: Alisa Rock shares more about her son Conor and reads a post from her blog (at the 6:11 mark.)

Dr._Rebecca_Landa_Web_extra.mp3
WEB EXTRA: Dr. Rebecca Landa on ASD rates among boys and girls, and resources keeping up with the rising numbers of children with ASD.

This segment originally aired on April 16, 2014. 

Sheilah Kast is the host of On The Record, Monday-Friday, 9:30-10:00 am.
Jamyla Krempel is WYPR's digital content director and the executive producer of Wavelength: Baltimore's Public Radio Journey. She collaborates with reporters, program and podcast hosts to create content for WYPR’s online platforms.