Past Activities

The AIR-B Network is committed to spreading information about autism treatments, tools, and guidelines. Members work to share their findings from AIR-B studies with community outreach and published articles. Junior investigators across the sites continue to analyze data so AIR-B researchers can present findings at conferences across the country and around the world.

Past Newsletters

Community Outreach

Additional News

The Journey to Adulthood for People with Disabilities — An Ecological Life Course Perspective
August 8th, 2022

Dr. Elizabeth Hassrick was a keynote speaker at the virtual 2022 MIND Summer Institute on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities annual conference

Update on early interventions for Autism
June 3rd, 2022

Dr. Connie Kasari was a virtual keynote speaker for the Second International Congress on Autism and Neurodiversity from Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina

자폐증의 반복 행동 및 감각적 특징들 Repetitive Behaviors and Sensory Features in ASD
March 3rd and April 4th, 2021

Dr Soo Lee gave virtual presentations for the Korean parent support group at Lanterman Regional Center as part of UCLAs annual conference.

Gatlinburg: “Symposium 18, Remote delivery of behavioral intervention for ASD, challenges, successes, and considerations moving forward” and “poster presentation on Building Better Bridges baseline data”
April 7th and 8th, 2021

At the virtual Gatlinburg conference Dr. Connie Kasari presented a symposium and Dr. Amanda Dimachkie presented a poster.

Research, Resources, and Recommendations from the School Mental Health Assessment Research and Training (SMART) Center
November, 9th, 2020

Dr. Jill Locke was invited as a keynote speaker for the virtual Alaska Autism Resource Conference

Applying Implementation Science in Schools: Interventions for Children with autism
October 30th, 2020

Dr. Jill Locke did a virtual colloquium as part of Human Development and Family Studies Colloquium with Purdue University

Achieving Successful Inclusion of Children with autism in Elementary Schools: What you Should Know
October 23rd, 2020

Dr. Jill Locke oversaw the virtual Center for Autism and Related Disorders Conference.

‘Social- Communication School Based Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders’ Presentation, University of California-Irvine
April 9th, 2014.

On April 9, 2014, Dr. Connie Kasari was invited to present for the UC Irvine Center for Autism Research and Translation (CART). The presentation focused on intervention research tested in schools.

Archdiocese of Los Angeles (ALA), Department of Catholic Schools Inclusion Conference
March 8th, 2014

On Saturday, March 8th, 2014, Dr. Connie Kasari was invited to present to teachers and administrators on the benefits of inclusion for children with ASD. 

Autism Speaks Early Access Outreach Event, Los Angeles, CA
September 7th, 2013

On Saturday, September 7, 2013, a team of UCLA AIR-B and CART autism expert clinicians, outreach staff, and student volunteers participated in an event to provide underserved families with free screenings as well as referral contact for information and services for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Training in Schools
Summer 2012 and 2013

UCLA established a partnership with Leo Politi Elementary School in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). This partnership allowed AIR-B staff from all sites to train for the Remaking Recess intervention as well as the STAT intervention. AIR-B staff helped teachers and paraprofessionals implement interventions to improve the social engagement of their students.

University of Pennsylvania

School District of Philadelphia Research to Practice Conference
April 8, 2014

The R2P Conference is to facilitate the connection between research, policy and practice at the School District.  Members of the AIR-B team will present the status of their project and meet with other research collaborators.

School District of Philadelphia Autism Expo
April 4, 2014

Member of the Philadelphia AIR-B will join their Philly AIMS colleagues at the 7th Annual Autism Expo at the School District.

Philadelphia Autism Network Presentation
January 15, 2014

Members of the Philadelphia AIR-B team spoke to a group of parents and therapists about the transition from the early intervention system to elementary school.  Parent partners shared strategies for navigating this important transition.

Lea Volunteer Day
August 5, 2013

Members of the Philadelphia AIR-B team joined their University of Pennsylvania CMHPSR colleagues to help beautify a local West Philadelphia elementary school.

PENN Team at Lea Volunteer Day

University of Rochester

Rochester City School District (RCSD) Presentation
July 28th, 2014

Suzannah Iadarola (from the University of Rochester) was invited to present to veteran teachers in self-contained classrooms within the Rochester City School District (RCSD)

Conferences & Presentations

UCLA CART’s annual symposium — Advances in Autism, April 29th, 2022

Connie Kasari, The Next Generation of Intervention Science for Autism

Annual Autism Conference by UCLA and Community Partners, March 3rd, 2021

2015

International Meeting for Autism Research Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. May 15, 2015.

Locke J, Shih W. What are they doing at recess? Examining playground behavior between elementary school children with and without autism spectrum disorder. In J. Locke (Chair), Meaningful social outcomes in real world settings: Targets, interventions, and change.

April 29th, 2015 “Autism: Recognizing the signs, diagnosis and treatment options”, WCMC Spring Health & Wellness Fair

2015 Autism Speaks-Autism Treatment Network Conference, Rochester, NU

Smith, T. (March 2015). Community-partnered research with the Rochester City Schools. Presentation given at the University of Rochester Autism Speaks-Autism Treatment Network Conference. Rochester, NY.

2015 Society for Research in Child Development Meeting, Philadelphia, PA
Oakes, L., Iadarola, S., Shih, W., Dean, M., Smith, T., Orlich, F., and the AIR-B Network. (March 2015). Anxiety, depression, and family functioning in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Poster presented at the SRCD annual meeting. Philadelphia, PA.

2015 Child and Adolescent Health Research Meeting, Rochester, NY

Aponte, C., Iadarola, S., & the AIR-B Network. (January 2015) School-based interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder. Presentation given at the University of Rochester Child and Adolescent Health Meeting. Rochester, NY.

2014

2014 Growing the Next Generation of Community-Based Researchers, Rochester, NY.

Tiede, G., Iadarola, S., Smith. T. (October 2014) Services for children with autism spectrum disorder in three, large urban school districts: Perspectives of parents and educators. Poster presented at the conference, “Growing the Next Generation of Community-Based Researchers”. Rochester, NY

April 25th, 2014 “Diagnosis of Autism in Toddlers”, Los Ninos

May 23rd, 2014 “Autism: From Screening to Diagnosis to Intervention” APS in San Francisco

July 9th, 2014 “Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders”,12th National Head Start Research Conference

December 3rd, 2014 “What Can We Learn From Longitudinal Studies About Early Intervention and Prognosis?”, La Trobe University, Australasian Society for Autism Research

2014 Annual Faculty Research Symposium, Rochester, NY.

Oakes, L., Iadarola, S., Shih, W., Dean, M., Smith, T., Orlich, F., and the AIR-B Network. (October 2014). The relationship among anxiety, depression, and family functioning in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Poster presented at the Annual Faculty Research Symposium, Rochester, NY.
 
2014 2nd “Data Blitz”: an internal conference at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.

Tiede, G. Smith, T., Iadarola, S., (October 2014) Autism Intervention Research Network on Behavioral Health.  Poster presented at the 2nd “Data Blitz”: an internal conference at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.

2014 Combating Autism Act Initiative (CAAI) Virtual Poster Symposium

Virtual Poster Presentations:
*Oakes, L., Iadarola, S., Shih W., Dean, M., Smith, T., Orlich, F. & the AIR-B Network (2014). The relationship among anxiety, depression, and family functioning in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Virtual Poster Presentation at the Combating Autism Act Initiative (CAAI) Virtual Poster Symposium. Webinar.

Virtual Talk Presentations:
*Dean, M., and *Huynh, L. (2014). The Strengths and Barriers to Successfully Including Students with ASD: School Personnel and Parents Perspectives. Virtual Talk at the Combating Autism Act Initiative (CAAI) Virtual Poster Symposium. Webinar.

International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) Atlanta, Georgia 2014

Poster Presentations:

*Grzadzinski, R., Lord, C., & Bishop, S. (2014). Symptoms of Autism in Children with ADHD with and without Concerns for ASD. International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Atlanta, GA.

*Harrop, C., *Patterson, S., Gulsrud, A., *Chang. Y., Ishijima, E., & Lawton, K.  (2014) Does Gender Moderate Core Deficits in ASD? An Investigation into Social-Communication and Play. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Atlanta, Georgia.

*Huynh, L., *Chang, Y., *Shih, W., & Kasari, C. (2014). Has the Needle Moved for Social Inclusion of Children with ASD? A 10-Year View. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Atlanta, Georgia.

*Jones, R.M., Moody, C., Baker, J., Levitt, S., Donnelly, L. & Lord, C. (2014). Individual differences in implicit learning abilities: implications for identifying treatment predictors. International Meeting for Autism Research. Atlanta, GA.

*Kretzmann, M., & Kasari, C. (2014). Teaching Playground Staff at Schools to Improve Peer Engagement for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Atlanta, Georgia.

*Panganiban, J., & Kasari, C., (2014). Measuring Joint Attention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder through Structured and Unstructured Play. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Atlanta, Georgia.

*Williams, B., *Shih, W., & Kasari, C. (2014). Self-Perception in Friendship Nomination in Children with Autism. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Atlanta, Georgia.

Talks:
*Carr, T., *Lawton, K., *Shih, W., & Kasari, C . (2014). The Relationship Between Treatment Attendance, Adherence, and Outcome in a Caregiver-Mediated Intervention for Low-Resourced Families of Young Children with ASD. Panel presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Atlanta, Georgia.

*Shih, W., *Patterson, S., & Kasari, C., (2014). Getting SMART about Combating Autism with Adaptive Interventions: Novel Treatment and Research Methods for Individualizing Treatment. Panel presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Atlanta, Georgia.

2013

New York State Association for Behavior Analysis Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY 2013

Talks:

*Dufek, S., Degeorge, A., & Lord, C. (2013). Evidence-based practice interventions for young children and toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Talk presented at the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Understanding ASD: Its Origins, the Possibilities for Change and How to Facilitate Development, New York, NY. 2013

Talks:
Degeorge, A., *Dufek, S., & Lord, C. (2013). Parent-implemented treatment for low-income households: A community outreach project. Talk presented at Understanding ASD: Its Origins, the Possibilities for Change and How to Facilitate Development, New York, NY.

International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) San Sebastian, Spain 2013

Poster Presentations:
*Jones, R.M., Wexler, D., Anderson, D., Risi, S., Corsello, C. & Lord, C. (2013). Factors influencing how parents report autism symptoms on the ADI-R, International Meeting for Autism Research, San Sebastian, Spain.

*Kretzmann, M., & Kasari, C. (2013). Peer Engagement at School. Poster presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). San Sebastian, Spain.

Talks:
*Burner, K., Orlich, F., *Oti, R., *Montague, R., *Poole, R., *Bernier, R., King, B., Lord, C., & Kasari, C. (2013). Observation, Parent, and Self Report of Social Engagement in Adolescents with ASD. Talk at International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). San Sebastian, Spain.

*Dufek, S., Schreibman, L., & Stahmer, A. (2013). School psychologist utilization of evidence-based practice for assessment of autism spectrum disorder. Talk presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, San Sebastian, Spain.

Orlich, F., *Oti, R., *Burner, K., Montague, R., *Poole, R., *Bernier, R., Lord, C., King, B., & Kasari, C. (2013). Observation of Peer Engagement in a Peer Mediated Intervention Model for Adolescents with ASD. Talk at International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). San Sebastian, Spain.

Kasari, C., *Kretzmann, M., *Dean, M. (2013). Peer Social Skills and Social Relationships: Measuring Change in Real World School Settings. Talk at International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). San Sebastian, Spain

Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Seattle, WA 2013

Poster Presentations:
*Burner, K., *Dean, M., *Montague, R., King, B., Kasari, C., Orlich, F., & Autism Intervention Research on Behavioral Health (2013). Developmental Progression of Loneliness in Children with ASD Participating in a School-Based Social Skills Intervention. Poster to be presented at the Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD) Seattle, WA.

*Dean, M.,  Kasari, C., *Whitney, R., Landa, R.,  Lord, C. , Orlich, F., King, B.,  and Harwood, R.  (2013). The friendship quality of girls with ASD at school: Comparisons with boys and girls with and without ASD. Poster to be presented at the Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD) Seattle, WA.

*Sterling, L., *Dean, M., Kasari, C., Orlich, F., & Lord, C. (2013). The Effects of School-Based Social Skills Intervention on Self-Report of Depressive Symptoms in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Poster to be presented at the Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD) Seattle, WA.

2012

Combating Autism Act Initiative (CAAI) Arlington, VA 2012

Presentations:
Smith, T. (2012). Implementing Interventions for Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in Large Urban School Districts. Presentation at the Combating Autism Act initiative (CAAI) meeting Arlington, VA.

Mandell, D. (2012). Implementation of Evidence based Practices for Students with Autism in Traditionally Under-resourced Areas. Presentation at the Combating Autism Act initiative (CAAI) meeting Arlington, VA.

National Association of School Psychologists, Philadelphia, PA 2012

Poster Presentations:
* Bohlander, A., * Oti, R., & Orlich, F. (2012). Teasing and bullying of students with high functioning autism. Poster presented at the annual convention of the National Association of School Psychologists, Philadelphia, PA.

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), 2012

Poster Presentations:
* Dean, M., Kasari, C., Landa, R., Lord, C., Orlich, F., Harwood, R. (2012). The peer relationships of girls with ASD at school: Comparisons with boys and girls with and without ASD. Poster Presentation at The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) Toronto, Canada 2012

Poster Presentations:

* Dean, M. and Kasari, C. (2012).  Gender Trends in the Friend Preference and Social Acceptance of Girls and Boys with Autism. Poster presentation at the annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Toronto, Canada.

*Fuller, A., Ross, C., *Gulsrud, A., *Lawton, K., and Kasari, C. (2012) Engaging Toddlers with Autism: Effective Caregiver Strategies. Poster presentation at the annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Toronto, Canada.

* Mahjouri, S., Kasari, C., &  Orlich, F. (2012) Self-Isolation or Self Preservation: Why Are Teens with Autism Often Alone? Poster presentation at the annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Toronto, Canada.

* Dean, M., Kasari, C., Landa, R., Lord, C., Orlich, F., & Harwood, R. (2012). The peer relationships of girls with ASD at school: Comparisons with boys and girls with and without ASD. Poster presentation at the annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Toronto, Canada.

Talks:
Orlich, F., * Montague, R.A., * Bernier, R., * Oti, R., Kasari, C., Lord, C., & King, B. (2012). Treatment as usual and peer engagement in teens with high functioning autism. Paper session presented as part of a symposium at the International Society for Autism Research (IMFAR), Toronto, Canada.

UC Conference for Research in Special Education, Disabilities, & Developmental Risk (UC SPEDDR) San Diego, CA 2012

Poster Presentations:
*Fox, G. A., *Dean, M. & Kasari, C. (2012). How narrative difficulties build peer rejection: A case study of a girl with Asperger’s syndrome and her female peers. Autism Intervention Research Network for Behavioral Health (AIR-B).  Poster presentation at the UC Conference for Research in Special Education, Disabilities, & Developmental Risk (UC SPEDDR), San Diego, CA.

UC Conference for Research in Special Education, Disabilities, & Developmental Risk (UC SPEDDR) San Diego, CA 2012

Poster Presentations:
*Fox, G. A., *Dean, M. & Kasari, C. (2012). How narrative difficulties build peer rejection: A case study of a girl with Asperger’s syndrome and her female peers. Autism Intervention Research Network for Behavioral Health (AIR-B).  Poster presentation at the UC Conference for Research in Special Education, Disabilities, & Developmental Risk (UC SPEDDR), San Diego, CA.

2011

Sixth Annual Seattle Children’s Research Institute Research Symposium Seattle, WA 2011

*Nelson, Y. (2011, September).  In-Home and School-Based Intervention Approaches for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Presentation at the Sixth Annual Seattle Children’s Research Institute Research Symposium.
 
International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) San Diego, CA 2011

Poster Presentations:
*Dean, M. & *Mahjouri, S. (2011). Social preference in children with autism spectrum disorders. Poster presentation at the annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), San Diego, CA.

*Fox, G. A., *Dean, M. & Kasari, C. (2011).  How narrative difficulties build peer rejection: A case study of a girl with Asperger’s syndrome and her female peers. Poster presentation at the annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), San Diego, CA.

*Vanderbilt-Adriance, E., *Oti, R., *Bohlander, A., *Nelson, Y., Orlich, F., & Autism Intervention Research Network (2011, May). Characteristics of ethnically and socioeconomically diverse underserved families of young children with autism. Poster presented at International Meeting For Autism Research (IMFAR), San Diego, CA.

(*trainee or junior faculty)