Managing Autism With Strategies, Support, Research Connections

EVANSTON, Ill. --- A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that autism (now officially Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD) may affect as many as one in 68 children. Northwestern University’s Speech, Language and Learning Clinic has helped hundreds of children and adults with communication and cognitive challenges presented by autism. 

Founded on the Evanston campus in 1928, Northwestern's Speech, Language and Learning Clinic works with families, schools and healthcare professionals to help infants, children and adults with autism-related communication and learning challenges. April is Autism Awareness Month.

The Northwestern clinic’s primary mission is to integrate cutting edge research with the highest quality clinical diagnostics and treatment for the benefit families and individuals affected by autism. The clinic works closely with leading autism researchers focused on discovering the causes of autism and identifying new avenues for treatment, and seeks to integrate clinical treatment and research to benefit families and individuals affected by autism.

ASD, or autism, is a general term for a group of complex disorders of the brain that affect communication and socialization, and marked by repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Partnering with psychologists, physicians, speech-language pathologists and other specialists, Northwestern’s clinic provides comprehensive treatment options designed to reduce symptoms and improve skills, with benefits of therapy continuing throughout the lifetime.