eHealthWatch Special Report

Scott Center To Host Autism-Related Workshops

THE FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY’s School of Psychology offers free monthly workshops to parents, educators and professionals who deal with the issues of autism.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – It’s the fastest growing disability in the United States, yet it’s one of the least understood. Although it’s more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined, the public is only now beginning to understand its true impact.

According to experts, autism is the most common of a range of developmental disorders known as the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). This complicated condition, usually diagnosed in the first three years of life, appears as difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication and social interactions in repetitive or unusual behaviors.

Fran Warkomski

“Early, intense behavior therapy has shown the most significant results,” said Fran Warkomski, executive director of the new Scott Center for Autism Treatment at Florida Tech in Melbourne, Florida.

Under a mantra of “Service, Research and Training,” the Scott Center for Autism Treatment is probing the mysteries of autism and, most importantly, working with one child at a time to mitigate its effects.

“The stakes are high from a parent/family perspective,” said Ms. Warkomski. “They expect answers from experts in the field.”

Scott Center Funded by Edward Scott, Health Resources and Services Administration

Florida Tech is literally building its expertise in the area on a daily basis, with the completion of the Scott Center. Valued at approximately $5 million, the center was funded by several sources.

Edward Scott

Co-founder of the Center for Global Development in Washington, D.C., and Florida Tech Trustee Edward Scott, initiated the support with a major donation.  Additionally, the Health Resources and Services Administration supported the new center with $2.4 million in federal funding.

Designed by Stottler Stagg & Associates of Cape Canaveral, Florida, the two-story building encompasses about 18,000 square feet. It allows for intense, individual treatment and features consultation areas and observation rooms to keep parents and family connected to the treatment process.

Dr. Chong

College of Psychology and Liberal Arts faculty and students are currently working with 36 children ages 2 to 13. Another 40 children are on a waiting list for services, according to Dr. Ivy Chong, program director. “Our clients represent all ranges of the spectrum, from those with destructive, self-injuring behaviors to those with milder forms of behavior problems,” Dr. Chong said.

CLICK HERE for a Q&A with Dr. Ivy M. Chong

Cases of autism are soaring at an alarming rate. Just here in Central Florida, about 20,000 residents are thought to have autism spectrum disorders, with more than 4,000 cases in Brevard County alone.

Ms. Warkomski believes that the future is promising for the field of autism research. “We have to collect more data, but we are learning new techniques every day,” she said. “I believe we are at a crossroads. We need to be clear about what works in helping these children. This is a very talented team here at Florida Tech, and we are excited about the opportunity to innovate.”

Florida Tech Presents Free Monthly Autism Workshops

The Florida Institute of Technology’s School of Psychology will present these free monthly workshops for parents, educators and psychologists who deal with the issues of autism:

• Aug. 26: “Autism in the Classroom from a Teacher’s Perspective,” presented by Susan Strahle, fifth-grade teacher at Dr. W.J. Creel School; at the Denius Student Center, second floor Hartley Room; 6:30 to 8 p.m. The Denius Student Center is located off Country Club Road, near University Boulevard.
• Sept. 23: “Early Steps Services: Birth to Three,” presented by Althea Puzio, program director, Early Steps, Florida Health Department; in the Scott Center for Autism Treatment seminar room; 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Oct. 28: “Understanding Asperger’s from a Clinical and Sensory Perspective," presented by Debra Sloane, Psy.D., and Karen Rathgeber, College Internship Program; in the Scott Center for Autism Treatment seminar room; 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Nov. 18: “Video Self Modeling for Social Skills Development,” presented by Jordan Boudreau, Florida Tech doctoral program; in the Scott Center for Autism Treatment seminar room. Please call for times.

The Scott Center is accessible by turning into the campus off Babcock Street, one block south of University Boulevard at Panther Place. Take the first left turn to the Scott center.

The Scott Center for Autism Treatment, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing treatment, training and applied research to enhance the functioning and improve the quality of the lives of children with autism and related disabilities.

To make a donation, or for more information, call 321-674-8104 or e-mail thescottcenter@fit.edu.

CLICK HERE FOR RELATED STORY

A $50,000 grant was awarded to Florida Tech from the Community Foundation of Brevard’s Kenneth R. Finken and Dorothy Hallam Finken Endowment Fund for research into the cause and cure of Alzheimer’s disease.

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2. Florida Tech To Host Autism Conference
3. Misconceptions About Autism
4. Florida Tech Receives Grant For Alzheimer’s Disease Study
5. Florida Tech’s Dr. Becker Founds Medical Social Network