Jun 20, 2008 10:46 am US/Eastern
UM Launches Mobile Autism Family Clinic
Mobile Unit Is First Of Its Kind In The U.S.
The University of Miami is taking its mission to reach out to people with autism on the road.
The University of Miami - Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD) has launched a Mobile Autism Family Clinic which will travel throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties to provide screenings, resources and autism awareness information.
The 23-foot Mobile Autism Bus is the first of its kind in the U.S. It's customized with a therapy/evaluation room in the back and a waiting room and work station in the front. The therapy/evaluation room is outfitted with video cameras which connect to recording equipment and a monitor in the waiting area. This will allow for effective interactive training opportunities for families.
UM-NSU CARD's Executive Director, Dr. Michael Alessandri, stated "Research has found that early identification and intervention are vital to improving the developmental outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities. The UM-NSU CARD Mobile Autism Family Clinic's therapy room has sufficient space and is equipped with materials that will allow the clinician to evaluate the child in a variety of social, communication and behavioral contexts. We are proud to make this free service available to the South Florida community."
Officials say their goal is to reach out to low economic families. According to the Autism Society of America, one in every 150 American children, and almost 1 in 94 boys have Autism, a complex neurological disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life and results in developmental delays and social dysfunction. Although there is no single cause or cure for Autism, the disorder is treatable, and early diagnosis and intervention offer the most promising outcomes.
For more information or to schedule the UM-NSU CARD Mobile Autism Family Clinic to visit your school, health fair or awareness event, please contact Natalee George, Special Projects Coordinator UM-NSU CARD at
305-284-5901 or visit
www.umcard.org.
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