ri-cart newsletter · to see some of the academic posters we presented, please click the title to...
TRANSCRIPT
RI-CART Newsletter
Welcome to those of you who have joined the Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research and Treatment (RI-CART) in the past few months! Cur-
rently, more than 1400 individuals and families have enrolled. We want to thank all of you for partnering with us to learn more about autism and to
improve the lives of people with ASD. We look forward to continuing to work with you!
If you are not part of RI-CART, and are interested in learning more, please call us at 401-432-1200 or visit our website, www.AutismRI.org.
The RI-CART Team
Welcome!
Volume 3, Issue 3, June 2017
Dr. Giulia Righi is a staff psychologist at the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at E. P. Bradley
Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Warren Alpert Medical School of
Brown University.
Dr. Righi is focused on understanding ASD through both research and clinical services, with a primary focus on
the assessment and study of those who require significant levels of psychiatric care. Her research interests are
in the study of the phenotypic and psychophysiological characteristics of children and adolescents with ASD
and co-morbid psychopathologies, as well as on improving diagnostic accuracy and identifying factors relevant
to treatment outcomes.
Prior to joining RI-CART, Dr. Righi completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Children’s Hospital Boston where
she conducted research surrounding early markers of ASD using electroencephalography (EEG) and behavior-
al measures. She received her PhD in cognitive sciences from Brown University and completed her clinical in-
ternship at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Read about one of Dr. Righi’s recent publications here: Study of Kids with Autism Identifies
Hospitalization Risk Factors
RI-CART Spotlight: Giulia Righi
Featured Study Currently Enrolling
The goal of this study is to learn more about how the bodies of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
(ASD) react to their social environment. Another goal is to learn more about how children with ASD at-
tend to social information. By better understanding physical reactions and attention, we can improve our
abilities to diagnosis ASD and we can develop better therapies for those with ASD. To accomplish this
goal, this study is exploring potential differences in body responses during different experiences. Partic-
ipants will have their physiology (heart and nervous system responses) recorded non-invasively while
resting, while playing with toys, and while interacting with an adult. Participants will also have their vis-
ual attention recorded while viewing pictures and movies of things like objects and faces. We are enrol-
ling children two to six years old with ASD, developmental delays, and typically developing children. Par-
ticipants will be compensated for their time in the study.
Contact: Carolyn McCormick, PhD. 401-453-7637. [email protected]
CLICK HERE to see descriptions of all of our currently enrolling studies.
To remove your name from our mailing list, please e-mail [email protected].
Questions or comments? E-mail us at [email protected] or call 401.432.1200.
What We’ve Been Up To
In March, RI-CART and the Museum of Work and Culture hosted an art opening as part of Brain Week Rhode Island that featured all artists with autism
and related neurodevelopmental conditions. The Through Our Eyes art opening was featured in both the Providence Journal and the Pawtucket Times.
The exhibit featured 82 pieces created by nearly as many artists, and was curated by Hartford, Connecticut based artist, Matthew Best.
We are hoping to host a similar event next year!
Through Our Eyes Art Exhibit
In April, RI-CART participated in the
15th annual Imagine Walk and Family
Fun Day, organized by The Autism Pro-
ject. Almost 8,000 people turned out for
the event! We enjoyed seeing you all
there!
Imagine Walk 2017
Upcoming Events
Sensory-Friendly Film for Teens & Adults
Conference Presentations—IMFAR and APS
In the past month, many RI-CART faculty, staff, and affiliates presented at the Interna-
tional Meeting for Autism Research in San Francisco and the Association for Psychologi-
cal Science in Boston.
To see some of the academic posters we presented, please click the title to view the PDFs
below.
Cinemaworld Lincoln, along with RI-CART and the Center for Autism
and Related Disorders, is hosting a sensory-friendly showing of Pi-
rates of the Caribbean (rated PG-13) on Saturday, June 17th at 1 p.m.
Your Life Your Canvas
Your Life Your Canvas is a group that utilizes expressive arts techniques to empower partici-
pants while bringing awareness and insight to life experiences. Eligible teens are invited to
participate in a 10-week group session that harnesses the power of artmaking to promote
health and overall wellbeing. Groups are filled based on age, clinical presentation, and best fit
with other group members. All materials provided; the one-time fee is $25. For more infor-
mation, call Melissa at 401-432-1119 or visit the website.
LOCATION: Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI
DATE: Weekly, beginning Tuesday, July 11th
TIME: 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Boston Children’s Museum Morningstar Access Program
The PHOEBE Study—Physiology of Emotion, Behavior, and Engagement
Invite a Friend!
If you know anyone who hasn’t yet joined RI-CART, please feel free to share this newsletter with them or invite them to attend an event!
If anyone would like to hear more about RI-CART, they can visit our website at www.autismRI.org and click Contact Us. We can also be reached at
401-432-1200.
Boston Children’s Museum Morningstar Access program offers children with special needs or medical
needs the opportunity to enjoy the Museum in an uncrowded environment with few other visitors. Ex-
perience The Power of Play! Admission for non-members is $8 (half off the regular price!) and is free
for members. Registration is required. Please visit www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org/Morningstar to
register.
LOCATION: 308 Congress Street, Boston, MA. For directions and parking information, click here.
DATE: Sunday, June 18th
TIME: 4 – 6 p.m.
Autism BrainNet: Promoting Research into the Causes of Autism Spectrum
Disorder
What is Autism BrainNet? Autism BrainNet is a new network of four university-based sites across the country that have come together to make brain
donation both easier and more useful for future research.
Why is Autism BrainNet important? Autism is a disorder of brain development. In order to make progress in all areas of autism research,
scientists need to study brains. Understanding what is different about the genetics or structure of the brain will give autism researchers essential in-
formation to develop better treatments and ultimately prevent the debilitating symptoms of autism.
Visit www.takesbrains.org to learn more.
Sensory Autism Spectrum Story Time Class
Sensory Autism Spectrum Story Time Class is a 6 week preschool program for chil-
dren who are on the autism spectrum. The program will include a picture schedule,
music, movement, fun stories, and sensory activities! Children of all ages welcome!
LOCATION: Children’s Caidin Room, Pawtucket Public Library, Pawtucket, RI
DATE: Weekly, beginning Thursday, July 6th
TIME: 2 to 3:30 p.m.
John M. Williams. The Great Wall of China. Framed collage. Nehven Carvalho. Autism Atom.. Colored pencil.
Children from the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Inpatient Unit.
When I Grow Up. Mixed media on canvas.
Pupillary Response in Adults with ASD During Tasks with Social and Nonso-
cial Cognitive Load
Christopher Blanding-Phothisane, Carolyn McCormick, Hasmik Tokadjian, &
Stephen Sheinkopf
Increased Psychiatric Complexity of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Explaining Diagnostic Inconsistencies
Hasmik Tokadjian, Danielle Morriss, Carolyn McCormick, Kayla Perkins, Lindsay Oberman, Thomas Anders, Eric Morrow, &
Stephen Sheinkopf
Preference for Nonsocial Realistic Movement in Children with ASD
Carolyn McCormick, Hasmik Tokadjian, & Stephen Sheinkopf
Increased Presence of Familial Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Groups with Unclear or Negative Au-
tism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis in a State-wide Autism Registry
Danielle Morriss, Hasmik Tokadjian, Carolyn McCormick, Lindsay Oberman, Eric Morrow, Thomas Anders, & Stephen Sheinkopf
Reliability and Validity of the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change (BOSCC)
Kristen Sutton, Carolyn McCormick, Hasmik Tokadjian, & Stephen Sheinkopf
COBRE Pilot Study of Resting State fMRI and Relationship to TMS Response in Youths with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Lauren I. Kasoff, Anacecilia Panameno, Christiana Westlin, Rachel E. Christensen, Amanda L. Ruggieri, Daniel P. Dickstein, &
Lindsay M. Oberman
RI-CART SPECIAL SEMINAR Social Treatments for Autism: Neurophysiological Indicators of Change Amy Vaughan Van Hecke, PhD
RI-CART invites parents and individuals, researchers, clinicians and educators to attend this Special Seminar!
LOCATION: Brown University, Sidney Frank Hall, Marcuvitz Auditorium, Room 220. 185 Meeting Street, Providence
DATE: Thursday, June 22nd
TIME: 11 a.m.
Dim lighting and low sound
No previews
Trained and caring staff
Special snacks permitted due to dietary restrictions and / or allergies
PHOEBE is enrolling through August, 2017. Act now if you would like to learn more and / or schedule an appointment!
We would like to say thank you to all who have participated in RI-CART and our partnering research studies. Your participation
made these presentations possible!
CLICK HERE to read about the Ursitti family: Superheroes for Autism Brain Research