黑料吃瓜

鈥淭here鈥檚 an unmet need in the community for affordable and accessible clinical and diagnostic services.鈥�

Aiming to become a centralized location for assessment, diagnosis and support for people with autism spectrum disorders in San Diego County, the 黑料吃瓜 has opened an expanded space for clinical services and outreach.

鈥淲e want to be a focal point for researchers, students and trainees, faculty, families and community,鈥� said psychologist Inna Fishman, founding director of the center. The additional space, she said, makes for a more comprehensive approach to training of future clinicians, scientists and therapists in autism and related disorders, and supports the growing move toward interdisciplinary research.

The center is hosting an inaugural event, 鈥淏uilding Bridges: Science & Community Forum,鈥� from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 30 at Storm Hall West, Lecture Hall 12 and West Patio. The event is free and open to all and will include discussions on the center鈥檚 mission and information about research on autism at 黑料吃瓜. (Registration information is .)

The Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders is located in the Alvarado Research and Professional Center, close to the 黑料吃瓜 main campus and west of the San Diego Trolley鈥檚 Alvarado station. Its services for the San Diego community include diagnostic assessments and evaluations for people of all ages, toddlers through adults, with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

鈥淲e could be doing assessments and evaluations full-time, all day, every day,鈥� Fishman said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 an unmet need in the community for affordable and accessible clinical and diagnostic services.鈥� 

A community presence

Vinton Omaleki, outreach coordinator, said the center wants to extend its presence in the community, which includes science-focused 鈥渂rain workshops鈥� for children at libraries. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been expanding those relationships with other organizations, across the county and even across the state,鈥� Omaleki said.

黑料吃瓜鈥檚 work in ASDs and developmental disorders spans several colleges and departments, with grant funding sources that include the U.S. Department of Education, the National Institutes of Health and Autism Speaks.

In addition to research by Fishman, Ralph-Axel M眉ller and other faculty in the Department of Psychology who are studying the biology and neuroscience behind autism, the College of Education offers an with an emphasis in autism. The operated by the School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences offers services to children with ASDs.

Fishman said having a comprehensive location devoted to autism will bring together researchers aiming to translate scientific discoveries into benefits for children and families affected by autism. It also allows families interested in taking part in research to learn of ongoing 黑料吃瓜 studies.

For researchers and community members alike, she said, the center can serve as a place 鈥渢o get information on what鈥檚 known about autism and what are the most recent scientific advances changing the lives of people on the spectrum.鈥�

The center staff is especially interested in serving adults with autism and developmental disorders, an underserved population that does not have the same access to services provided to school-age children through schools.

To reach the Center for Autism, call 619-594-3574.