by B.K. Pravin

Created on: April 05, 2010

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are also called as pervasive developmental disorders.  Autism spectrum disorders cause severe impairment in thinking, feeling and ability to process social or emotional information.

Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed mostly during early childhood.  Autism spectrum disorders are probably caused by organically based central nervous system dysfunction.

Awareness about autism has increased during recent years and lots of treatment programs are offered throughout the country.  TRIAD is an excellent autism program in Nashville, Tennessee.  The Vanderbilt Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders is abbreviated as TRIAD.

TRIAD was established within the Department of Pediatrics at VUMC in 1998 by Dr. Wendy Stone.  TRIAD is dedicated to improving assessment and treatment services for children with autism spectrum disorders.  TRIAD became a partner with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development in 2005.

Since its inception, TRIAD has offered services to thousands of children and families throughout the state of Tennessee and also other states.  TRIAD programs address community needs for cutting-edge information, high-quality support, and innovative interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders.

TRIAD’s specialized outreach staff provide training and direct consultation in state-of-the-art behavioral and educational assessment and intervention strategies in schools throughout the region.  Since 2001, TRIAD has held a social skills summer camp for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

TRIAD has developed strategies for enhancing early identification and intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders.  TRIAD supports several innovative clinical programs designed to assist families and professionals.  TRIAD’s clinical and outreach teams offer a number of services to families with children who have, or are suspected of having, an autism spectrum disorder.

TRIAD also offers diagnostic assessment, parent workshops, and social skills camps.  TRIAD offers the Ann and Monroe Carell Jr. Families First Program, a monthly workshop series for parents of children (ages 2-5) diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  For additional information about the Families First Program, please contact TRIAD by calling (615) 343-4275 or email familiesfirst@vanderbilt.edu.

For additional information about programs at TRIAD please contact the Family Services Coordinator at the Vanderbilt Autism Clinic at (615) 322-7565 or toll-free 1-877-ASD-VUMC (273-8862) or email autismclinic@vanderbilt.edu.  TRIAD autism awareness month activities

TRIAD research programs and partnerships examine the causes and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.  The projects include,

*The diagnosis of autism

*Identification of genetic and core behavioral features of autism

*The nature and treatment of sleep disturbance in children with autism

*Early intervention with children at risk for autism

*Development of siblings of children with autism

*Understanding the health and well-being of parents with children with autism

TRIAD’s autism program is an excellent initiative aimed at bringing a positive change in the lives of children suffering from autism spectrum disorders and their families.

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