CIRA News

A new textbook edited by Dr. Rajesh K. Kana, The Neuroscience of Autism,​ is now available from Elsevier. The Neuroscience of Autism​ provides a comprehensive account of autism by integrating decades of scientific findings from behavioral, cognitive, and neurobiological research. This book examines the evolution of the definition of autism, identifies its hallmark features and prevalence, and explores the major historical milestones in autism research. The Neuroscience of Autism also examines the mechanisms underlying behavioral symptoms at cognitive, social, neurobiological, and genetic levels and addresses effective intervention practices. 

Click here for more information or to purchase The Neuroscience of Autism.

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The University of Alabama Autism Clinic is pleased to announce the relaunch and addition of several therapy services for children with ASD and behavioral or speech concerns.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services offered by Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Registered Behavior Technicians.
Speech and language therapy services are resuming with Licensed and Certified Speech and Language Therapists. Accepting private insurance, Medicaid, and private pay for services.
​Call or email to inquire about services.
(205) 348-3130
autismclinic@ua.edu ​

The University of Alabama Autism Clinic will host a Parent Support Group beginning Monday, October 4, 2021. Meetings will occur weekly via Zoom. $25 gift cards will be awarded to each family per meeting. For more information, email ddkofman@ua.edu.

​Dr. Laura Stoppelbein, Director of the ASD Clinic received a 1-year grant ($100,000) from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse, Neglect, and Prevention for her project titled “Supporting and Enhancing Resilient Families”.

For more details the full article can be found here!

Dr. Angela Barber and Dr. Kimberly Tomeny were awarded a $160,000 extension through the Alabama Department of Rehabilitative Services to develop Phase 2 of their grant titled Advancing Effective Autism Practices in Early Intervention Community Settings. Congratulations Dr. Barber and Dr. Tomeny!

Dr. Susan White and colleagues have published a new study exploring emotion regulation, anxiety, and autism symptoms. Many children with autism spectrum disorder have problems with managing their emotions (emotion regulation) and anxiety. In this study, over 1000 parents completed an online survey which showed that emotion regulation and anxiety are closely linked. Although emotion regulation and anxiety are inter-connected, the results also show that autism symptoms play an important role in anxiety in autism spectrum disorder. Emotion regulation problems may be an important target for the treatment of anxiety in autism.

Dr. Angela Barber (Communicative Disorders) and Dr. Rajesh Kana (Psychology) are among the inaugural group of research fellows addressing rural and underserved communities through the Alabama Life Research Institute (ALRI). The ALRI serves as a focal point for interdisciplinary bio-psychosocial research that seeks to investigate the human condition at all levels, from the molecular to the environmental, collaborating across the University, as well as with peer institutions, health care corporations, governmental agencies, community-based organizations and other concerned individuals.
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“A major criterion of naming the first cohort of ALRI Fellows is their extensive experience and desire to collaborate with faculty, staff and students from around campus to address one of the initial major research foci of ALRI – that is, to identify, understand and solve problems related to rural and underserved communities,” said Dr. Sharlene Newman, ALRI executive director.