June 20, 2008 - Camp UTAP is in full swing, and the response has been tremendous! The children are eager to begin camp at 8:00am and ready for rest when they are picked up at noon. Children are engaged in numerous activities with a focus on social skills and problem solving. Through developmental play, social conversations with peers, challenging adventure activities, and storytelling art projects, the children have the opportunity to create friendships and just be kids! More...
April 4, 2008 - A recent meeting between Bob Prehn, CEO of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Dilip Karnik, M.D., pediatric neurologist at Specially for Children, and UTAP directors Jody Jensen and Pamela Buchanan led to an agreement to open a diagnostic and evaluation clinic for the assessment of children with, or suspected of having, autism. HealthSouth will provide space and clinician services in partnership with UTAPs affiliates in providing comprehensive evaluations and recommendations for treatment.Dr. Dilip Karnik will serve as the medical director of the clinic. Participation in the clinic will also provide a connection between UT researchers and the clinical community studying autism spectrum disorders. The clinic is targeted for opening in June, 2008. Look for more details in the coming weeks.
September 17, 2007 - UTAP is featured as the subject of the leadoff article on the University of Texas site, "Ain't Misbehavin'." The article states, "[Jody] Jensen and [Pamela] Buchanan, as well as many occupational therapists and medical professionals, assert that daily, appropriate play intervention can help children with autism more easily focus on tasks and input. It also can help them control inappropriate physical movement, such as wrist flapping, and allow them to remain comfortable in environments filled with a variety of sensory stimuli. Ultimately, it has the potential to make daily life more harmonious at home and in the classroom and perhaps equip the child with basic skills to lead a more independent life. "
May 7, 2007 - The Dell Foundation recently awarded more than $150,000 to charities worldwide, including UTAP, as part of the company's annual volunteer recognition program. Non-profit organizations from more than a dozen countries received cash contributions in recognition of the hands-on activism of Dell employees. Dell "Volunteers of Distinction" winners were selected from a pool of global nominations, and cash grants were made by the Dell Foundation to the charities for which the employee or team of employees volunteered. Other winners in the United States included Second Harvest Food Bank, the Society for Women Engineers, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
In a press release, the Dell Foundation said: "The donations benefit nearly 100 global charities representing a spectrum of sizes and social causes. For example, the University of Texas Autism Project (UTAP) in Austin, Texas, serves as a center of excellence for services, knowledge and best practices for living and working with children with autism spectrum disorders. The grant from Dell, made in recognition of the individual volunteer efforts of Dell employee Stan Parish, will help the organization replace dated and damaged equipment essential to UTAP's programs."