Agnes Whitaker, M.D., Co-Director
Marc Patterson, M.D., Co-Director
The Challenge
Autism and other autistic-spectrum disorder, such as Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, are characterized by atypical social behavior and communication at all stages of life. In these disorders, now estimated to affect nearly one in every two hundred children, the building blocks of human relationships, such as eye contact, pointing to express interest and having a to-and fro conversation, either fail to develop or develop in an incomplete way. These problems deprive children and parents of everyday joys and comforts and interfere with education and employment. They are also associated with an increased risk for behavioral and emotional disturbance such as repetitive behaviors, tantrums, aggression, self-injury and depression that only serve to increase the stress felt by the family. Although raiding a child with autism can have profound rewards, the burden of worry and care for families is enormous and life-long. This family burden and the poignant isolation of those afflicted challenges us to develop better methods of treatment and to find the causes of these disorders so that prevention may one day be possible.
To Meet This Challenge
Columbia University (CU) and New York-Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH) have started a Center for Progress in Autism and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders. The Center will bring together knowledge and experience from scientists and clinicians in one of the country’s greatest medical institutions.
Center Activities
Evaluation/ Treatment/ Research/ Professional Training/ Community Partnering
Evaluation
We expect that many families coming to the Center will be seeking either a first-time evaluation or a reevaluation of their child’s developmental and behavioral problems so that they can have the most appropriate services.
The Center will offer:
- A developmental neuropsychiatric evaluation that will document problems in communication, sensory motor functioning, and behavioral and emotional regulation. The evaluation will serve as a baseline against which progress can be recorded.
- A thorough medical investigation to identify any underlying genetic, metabolic, and functional or structural brain abnormalities.
- A detailed written report that will be discussed with parents, with time spend to answer questions.
- Consultation with parents about different educational and treatment options as well as linkage to services of their choice in their local community.
- Follow up contact with parents, referring professional and educational/vocational setting as designated by the parents.
- Periodic re-evaluation to monitor progress.
Research
The Center is located at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center where neuroscientists and clinical researchers are investigating the causes of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as methods of improving treatment. All families coming to the Center are asked to participate in the creation of a database of de-identified information that can be used to support research on these disorders. Participation is entirely voluntary.
Contact Information
For more information about any aspects of the Center for Progress in Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders, please call or write to:
Agnes Whitaker, M.D.
Co-Director
Marc Patterson, M.D.
Co-Director
Maureen McSwiggan-Hardin, NP-P.
Coordinator
635 West 165th Street, Room 602
New York, NY 10032
Phone: 212-543-5823
