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The University of Rochester has been designated an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The award recognizes the Medical Center's national leadership in research for conditions such Autism, Batten disease, and Rett syndrome, will translate scientific insights into new ways to diagnose and treat these conditions, and provide patients and families access to cutting edge care.

The IDDRC at the University of Rochester will be led by John Foxe, Ph.D., director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, and Jonathan Mink, M.D., Ph.D., chief of Child Neurology at Golisano Children's Hospital. The designation is accompanied with more than $6 million in funding from NICHD.

We have recently developed a masking toolkit to provide support tips and resources on wearing masks. This toolkit is designed to assist parents with the challenges of convincing a child to wear a mask in public. The toolkit is provided in both a webpage and PDF Download format

We have recently developed a masking toolkit to provide support tips and resources to pareants on the subject of mask wearing out in public. The toolkit is provided in both a webpage and PDF Download format

For many, the transition back to school may be complicated by COVID-19. The "Student Snapshot" can be used to capture important information about a student that can be shared with the new school team. The pdfs are fillable or can be printed out. It is suggested that the Snapshot is completed with input from the student, if possible. An English and Spanish version are provided.

English Version(PDF) | Spanish Version(PDF)

During COVID-19 SCDD and DBP have worked to adapt services and continue to support individuals and families with disabilities in healthcare, education. We have developed a handout detailing all of these efforts.

Susan Hyman, M.D.

Early intervention for symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder -- even before the condition is formally diagnosed -- is critical for helping families improve outcomes for their children, according to updated recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The new clinical report to guide diagnosis and care of children with autism is the AAP's first in 12 years and reflects changes in how autism is diagnosed and treated. Specific autism screenings are recommended at 18 and 24 months, at the same time as typical well-child visits. During these visits, pediatricians gauge milestones reflecting social communication, which could provide early signs of autism, according to Susan Hyman, M.D., lead author of the report and professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center's Golisano Children's Hospital.

"Social milestones like eye pointing to indicate interest, pointing to share interest and engaging in pretend play are not milestones that most parents are looking for, and might miss if not specifically asked about in the form of screening," said Hyman, past chair of the AAP's subcommittee on Autism.