The Regional Autism Network
The Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic is proud to be one of the sites for the Regional Autism Network (RAN). With this distinction, the University of Alabama becomes one of five autism resource hubs in the state. The RAN launched in 2016, and UA joins Auburn University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of South Alabama, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville as RAN resource hubs.
RANs are funded by the Department of Mental Health, and each RAN is staffed by experts in the field of autism spectrum disorder. RANs strive to connect people with ASD, their families, educators, and service providers to the information, services, and support that best meet their needs. The resource hubs are established for individuals affected by ASD, their families, and other agencies. RANs provide professional training programs, technical assistance and consultation services, individual and family assistance, and public education programs.
The UA RAN and can be contacted at (205) 348-3131 or by emailing ua-ran@ua.edu.
More information about RAN services can be found at https://mh.alabama.gov/aiacc/regional-autism-network/
Treatment and Research Opportunities at The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama Autism Clinic is a collaborator in a number of different research programs at the University. Many of these programs provide clinical services to children and adolescent free of charge as a part of the research project. These programs are for children with Autism as well as typically developing siblings and peers.
Treatment Related Research
SENSE Program (services provided free of charge)
SENSE, an ongoing musical theater-based treatment study for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is led by UA Faculty Susan White and funded by the NIH through the University of Alabama. This clinical intervention, offered at no-cost to our participants, is designed to improve social skills in youth with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our final 10-week program begins in February, 2020, and we are actively recruiting children between the ages of 10 and 16 to participate in this clinical research program! More information can be found at the CYDI Website: https://cydi.ua.edu/sense.html
In addition to recruiting participants, we are also looking for peer mentors (typically developing children to serve as peer models for our participants with ASD) who might be interested in participating in the theater program!
If you or anyone you know might be interested in participating in this program, please reach out to our study coordinator: Nicole Powell, Ph.D. NPowell@ua.edu 205-348-3535
EASE Program (services provided free of charge)
The Center for Youth Development and Intervention (CYDI) is currently enrolling for the Emotional Awareness and Skills Enhancement (EASE) Study for ASD. It is a randomized, controlled trial research study designed to evaluate a new treatment for teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorder who struggle with handling difficult emotions like anger, sadness, and anxiety. We are currently enrolling 12 to 21-year-old individuals with an autism diagnosis who struggle with their emotions. Participants will be randomized into either the EASE program or another supportive therapy program. Both programs involve 16 weekly sessions. There is no cost for the program and we offer payments for completing the research assessments before and after completion of the program.
For more information, please contact Dr. Nicole Powell by email (npowell@ua.edu) or by phone (205-348-3535).
Reading Instruction Program (services provided free of charge)
The Cognition, Brain and Autism Laboratory in the Department of Psychology at UA is recruiting children to participate in a study that involves complementary reading instruction and brain imaging. Eligible candidates are children with an autism spectrum disorder, children with difficulty in reading comprehension, and typically developing children. The age range of participants is 7-13 years.
If your child meets the above criteria and you are interested in more information, please contact our lab at 205-202-0616 OR cbralab@uab.edu.
UA Clinics/Educational Resources for Children & Adolescents with Autism
UA Speech and Hearing Center
Provides services including speech therapy and evaluation, information/assistance with augmented communication devices, and therapy for feeding issues/feeding disorders.
Email: cd@as.ua.edu
Phone: (205) 348-7131
Website: http://cd.ua.edu/speech-and-hearing
Location: 700 University Boulevard East, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Project Impact
For children ages 1 to 6 years of age; provides parent training and direct therapy services to children with social-communication delays, commonly seen in individuals with autism.
Phone: (205) 348-7131
Location: 700 University Boulevard East, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Early Intervention at UA (EI @ UA)
Provides evaluation, resources, supports and services for infants/toddlers ages 0-3 years with developmental delays.
Email: earlyintervention@ua.edu
Phone: (205) 348-4714
UA Autism College Transition and Support (UA-ACTS) Program
Program for UA College students with ASD that provides support in areas of academic organization/ self-advocacy, social skills daily living/career building, etc.
Email: ua-acts@ua.edu
Phone: (205) 348-9133
Website: https://autism-clinic.ua.edu/college-program-ua-acts/
CrossingPoints Program
The program provides educational services for individuals with significant disabilities between the ages of 18 and 21 who are still receiving special education services through their schools system or who have a diagnosis of intellectual disability.
Students participating in CrossingPoints receive instruction in the areas of employment, independent living, functional academics, self-determination, socialization, and recreation.
Phone: (205) 348-3180
Email: crossing@ua.edu
Website: https://crossingpoints.ua.edu/
Resources in the Tuscaloosa/Northport Area
- Medical/Dental/ Speech Therapy Resources
- Mental Health and Psychiatric Services
- Community Services and Intervention Programs