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Save the Date!
Join us on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, 2013 as the
Primary Care Psychiatry Foundation
presents
Challenging Comorbidities
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Upcoming Holidays
CRG will be closed on
Monday, May 27th
in observance of
Memorial Day.
Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, May 28th. |
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Coming Soon!
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| April is Autism Awareness Month. In this issue, we honor children, adolescents, and adults who have spectrum disorders as well as the families, educators, healthcare professionals, employers, and others who work with them. Visit the homepage of CRG's website for a blog posting about local events and online resources (www.childrensresourcegroup.com). |
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Greetings!
"It is easy to know that something is not quite right. It is harder to know what is wrong." This is a quote from Dr. Bennett Leventhal, a psychiatrist and professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I heard Dr. Leventhal make this statement during a talk on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in the late 1990's and it has stayed with me since that time. Over the past 20 years, we have learned a great deal about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including Asperger's Disorder. There has been a great deal of research in the area. Much time and energy has gone into training educators and caregivers about how to assist and intervene with those with ASD. This public education has improved the diagnosis and treatment of ASD. Based on data from 2008, 1 in every 88 children was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The downside of all of the information that has been disseminated to the public is that ASD is often the "go to" diagnosis. If something is not quite right - it must be Autism or Asperger's. Yet, there are other psychiatric conditions that have some symptoms in common with Autism and Asperger's. In addition, individuals with ASD are at high risk for having co-morbid or co-existing conditions that complicate their difficulties and care.
The Spring 2013 edition of the CRG newsletter is devoted to improving our understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Dr. Sandra Burkhardt, a psychologist at CRG and Professor of Psychology at St. Xavier University in Illinois, provides an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders and discusses how the new DSM-V diagnostic guidelines will change the diagnosis of and thinking about ASD.
- Dr. David Parker, the Postsecondary Disability Specialist and ADD Coach at CRG, provides guidance about the transition from high school to college for individuals with Asperger's Disorder. Colleges are working hard to understand and respond to the needs of a small but growing number of postsecondary students with Asperger's.
- Dr. Dana Lasek, a psychologist at CRG, provides a review of the book, "Asperger's and Girls." This is one of several books on Autism Spectrum Disorders and females that can be found on the CRG Recommended Reading list. These resources can be found under the Educational Resources tab of CRG's website (www.childrensresourcegroup.com).
- Ms. Beth Waite, a Speech and Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist who provides consultation to individuals and families through CRG, shares her knowledge of technology supports for individuals with ASD.
In this issue, we also introduce you to Dr. Dana Lasek in "Meet the Provider" and our four fabulous nurses in "Meet the Staff." This is our way to help you know those who are here to meet your needs.
We hope that you enjoy this issue and will be able to take some bits of information away that will assist you in addressing the needs of those with ASD.
Sincerely,
Julie T. Steck, Ph.D., HSPP
Partner & Psychologist
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Another Piece of the Autism Puzzle: DSM-V and Autism Spectrum Disorder
By Sandra Burkhardt, Ph.D., ABPP | 
In May 2013 the American Psychiatric Association will publish the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V), the guide used by physicians and mental health care specialists to diagnose individuals with a variety of mental health and learning disorders. This new version of the DSM may include some changes in how people with various forms of autism are diagnosed.
Good News
Autism Spectrum Disorders are a group of related diagnoses that affect people who have difficulties with communication, socialization, behavior, and rate of learning. These diagnoses include Autism, Asperger's Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
Please click here to learn more about the DSM-V and Autism Spectrum Disorder. |
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Postsecondary Possibilities for Students with Asperger's
By David R. Parker, Ph.D. |
Over the past decade, a growing number of students with Asperger's have transitioned to college (Morrison, Sansoti, & Hadley, 2009). We know this because students with high functioning autism are requesting campus support services with greater frequency. While each student is a unique individual first and foremost, many undergraduates with Asperger's share a combination of strengths and weaknesses. Strengths can include high intelligence, prolific knowledge about a small number of interests, a shy kindness, computer proficiency, and the ability to spend many hours on activities of personal interest. The website www.CollegeAutismSpectrum.com provides a wealth of information about these students.
To continue reading about Postsecondary Possibilities for Students with Asperger's, please click here.
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Book Review: Asperger's and Girls
By Dana Lasek, Ph.D., HSPP |
 I am thrilled to review the book, Asperger's and Girls (Future Horizons, Inc., 2006). This paperback features chapters written by Tony Attwood, Temple Grandin and seven additional experts in the area of Asperger's Syndrome (AS). The book is a welcome resource for girls and women diagnosed with Asperger's as well as parents, teachers, psychologists, and anyone interested in how to diagnose and treat females who struggle with Asperger's. The book is divided into chapters on diagnosis; meeting the challenges faced by girls with Asperger's; educating girls with Asperger's; how to help the female student with Asperger's navigate the social pressures of high school; and helping women with Asperger's understand puberty, sexuality, marriage and motherhood. Read more on Dr. Lasek's review of Asperger's and Girls. |
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Everyday Technology Interventions for Children with Autism
By Beth Waite, MA-CCC/SLP-ATP |
Have you ever forgotten your phone at home and felt lost all day without it? Most of us use our cell phones, iPads, and computers frequently throughout our day. These tools help keep us connected to our friends, co-workers and the world around us. For people with autism, these common technology tools can provide a way to communicate and learn. Using features built into what has become everyday technology can greatly enhance the learning, communication, behavior, and quality of life for those with autism. 
We know from research, as well as first-person accounts from people with autism, that visual learning is often a very effective way to gain information. Temple Grandin, a successful adult with autism and author of the book Thinking in Pictures, describes how she learns best with symbols and pictures.
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Meet the Provider: Dr. Dana Lasek,
Interviewed by David R. Parker, Ph.D. |
We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Dana Lasek to CRG! Dr. Lasek is a psychologist with many years of experience helping adolescents and adults with a variety of needs. She has worked in a wide range of settings and conducted research on women with post-partum depression. Read on to learn more about Dr. Lasek's background, expertise, and services at CRG.
What is your role here at CRG?
I am a Psychologist at CRG and I work with adolescents and adults. I provide individual, couples, group therapy and assessment. I work with patients with a variety of presenting issues including depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, trauma, health concerns, and relationship difficulties. I also provide assessment for ADD/ADHD. This summer, I will launch a support group called "The Power of She" for girls/young women at CRG. It will be for females between the ages of 16-20 who are struggling with relationship issues and low self-esteem.
Click here to read on about Dr. Parker's interview with CRG's newest psychologist, Dr. Dana Lasek. |
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Meet the CRG Nursing Staff
By Angela Beard, Business Office Manager |
If you have had a chance to take a trip down the north hallway at CRG, there is no doubt that you have walked past the nurses' office. With bright smiles and cheerful personalities, they make each day that much more rewarding not only for the staff, but for CRG's clients as well. CRG's team of four nurses collaboratively works together to meet the needs of our clients by providing excellent and prompt care on a daily basis. Mary Teter, Christine Light, Kristine McCready and Tammy Knight collectively have over 25 years experience at CRG. While some of our nurses have been here longer than others, each of them demonstrates tremendous energy and excellent qualities that are important in fulfilling CRG's mission.
Continue reading to learn more about CRG's nursing staff. |
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