UCEDD News

Autism
New CDC report finds increasing prevalence of autism in school-age children
April 30, 2018
An estimated 1 in 59 school-aged children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The latest estimate is higher than the prevalence in the CDC’s 2016 report (1 in 68 children).
Autism
Study led by Waisman investigator Maureen Durkin selected as one of the top advances in autism research in 2017
April 20, 2018
A multi-institution study of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) led by Maureen Durkin, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Waisman Center, has been selected as one of the top advances in 2017 ASD research by the federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.
Clinics
Down Syndrome Clinic helps Jackie Cleveland keep dancing
April 11, 2018
Brown eyes afire and colorful skirt awhirl, Jackie Cleveland has been dancing since she could walk. Now in sixth-grade, Jackie, who has Down syndrome, performs at Native American pow wows across the country, dancing traditional Ho-Chunk dances with style and unabashed joy. “I think she was just born with the beat and a need to move!” says Danielle Cleveland, Jackie’s mother.
Autism
Moving forward in the search for genetic clues to understand autism
March 20, 2018
There’s a saying in the autism community: If you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism. That’s because “as the name implies, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exists on a spectrum with a wide range of symptoms, skills and levels of severity with which it impacts a person’s daily life,” says Eric Rubenstein, a postdoc and Morse scholar at the UW-Madison Waisman Center.
Autism
Examining mid-life social outcomes for individuals with autism
February 2, 2018
Newly published research led by Waisman Center clinician Megan Farley examines the experiences and mid-life social circumstances of 169 adults with autism spectrum disorder in Utah, including their employment status, relationships, community participation, and residential situations.
Outreach
2017 Year in Review
December 12, 2017
We’re delighted to share a video highlighting many of the strides we have made over the past year. Your generous and thoughtful contributions help us continue to pioneer research and expand clinical services that benefit individuals and families impacted by developmental disabilities and neurodegenerative diseases.
Clinics
After decades of service, Waisman clinician Tina Iyama-Kurtycz retires in December
December 6, 2017
Iyama-Kurtycz’s journey from an 8-year-old with a dream to a skilled clinician took her to medical school at the University of Michigan and a residency at the University of Kansas. “While at Kansas, I met a pediatrician who was taking care of children with disabilities and I realized that’s what I wanted to do,” says Iyama-Kurtycz.
Awards and Honors
Waisman Center director search advances as interim leadership is named
December 5, 2017
“Dr. Messing has been an outstanding director of this center since his appointment in 2015. He is both a superb scientist and has been a strong leader across this center’s multifaceted mission,” says Norman Drinkwater, UW–Madison associate vice chancellor for research in biological sciences.
Autism
Video game improves balance in youth with autism
November 22, 2017
“We think this video game-based training could be a unique way to help individuals with ASD who have challenges with their balance address these issues,” says Travers, an investigator at UW–Madison’s Waisman Center and an assistant professor of kinesiology.
Autism
Autism prevalence and socioeconomic status: What’s the connection?
October 13, 2017
Children living in neighborhoods where incomes are low and fewer adults have bachelor’s degrees are less likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder compared to kids from more affluent neighborhoods.
Autism
WSJ: With autism diagnoses on the rise, parents sort through treatment options
September 5, 2017
As rates of autism diagnoses rise across the country, children with autism and their parents also have increasing options for therapy and treatments. The Wisconsin State Journal highlights the Waisman Center Autism Treatment Programs, and other options, for children and families with autism.
Clinics
SOFT Conference in Madison, WI
July 18, 2017
When Leila Adamson was born, doctors weren’t sure that she would live for even 63 seconds. More than 63 months later, in July 2017, she will be in Madison, Wisconsin, along with her parents, Kari and James, and her sister, Madelyn, for the 31st annual conference of the Support Organization for Trisomy 18, 13 and Related Disorders, or SOFT.
Clinics
Biochemical Genetics Clinic helps children live healthier, happier lives
July 6, 2017
Sam Thompson is two-and-a-half years old and a super-charged giver of hugs.His green eyes sparkle as he first embraces his physician, Jessica Scott Schwoerer, and then his dietitian, Nikki Drilias. Then it’s a quick, laughter-filled sprint across the room to his parents, Josh and Angie, who also get huge hugs.
PKU
New clues to healthy bones for those with PKU
May 16, 2017
Certain kinds of foods prescribed to manage the rare metabolic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) could contribute to skeletal fragility seen in many PKU patients, according to a new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers.
Outreach
Thirty years of Community TIES
April 18, 2017
On Friday, April 21, 2017, the Community TIES program at the Waisman Center will be celebrating 30 years of helping Dane County children, adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities live with their families and in their communities.
Genetics
Genetics and stress interact to shape human health and well-being
April 17, 2017
This is a story of nature and nurture. Scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Waisman Center have shown one way in which human genetics and chronic stress interact to shape health and well-being later in life.
PKU
Foods made with special whey protein help PKU patients
April 17, 2017
Research led by Waisman Center investigator Denise Ney has shown that food products made from a specific protein found in whey can safely be part of a more palatable diet for individuals diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU).