Autism
diagnoses are growing at the alarming rate of 10 to 17 percent per
year, according to the U.S. Department of Education and other federal
agencies. It is estimated that the number of Americans diagnosed with
autism, 1.5 million in 2004, could reach 4 million by 2010. The spike
in diagnoses, advances in genetic testing and
debate regarding how best to treat autism are all changing the
landscape of diagnosing, educating and understanding children and
adults with autism.
Research underway at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on
Human Development is leading the nation in expanding our understanding
of the potential causes, nature and prognosis of autism.
To explore how this complex issue is communicated with the public,
Vanderbilt University, in conjunction with the Council for the
Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), is hosting a fellowship
April 10—13, 2005, at our campus in Nashville, Tenn., for a limited
number of active journalists. The fellowship, Living with Autism:
Rates, Causes and Treatment, will bring together Kennedy Center and other researchers, education
experts, advocates, parents and individuals with autism to
discuss with journalists the latest research, the rising incidence of
autism, the debate over its causes and needed educational changes.
Through interactions with professors, tours of classrooms and
laboratories and small group discussions, journalists will have the
opportunity to learn more about this complex disease and hear the
stories that aren’t being told.
Fellowship Contacts:
Melanie Catania, Vanderbilt News Service, (615) 322-7970
Clinton Colmenares, Vanderbilt Medical Center News and Public Affairs, (615) 322-4747
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