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Making the Rounds with Founding Dean Dr. Barbara Atkinson
 Issue 157 - August 7, 2018
Serving the medical needs of Southern Nevada’s burgeoning population is truly a challenge. There is often a crush of patients wanting to see the doctor which can add an element of stress to the clinic environment. The staff at UNLV Medicine’s 21 clinics are keenly aware of the demand, and they are trained to be as helpful as possible whenever anyone calls for an appointment. Since the day we opened the doors of UNLV Medicine’s Ackerman Autism Center, the response from those seeking care has been overwhelming. The staff has done a tremendous job attempting to meet the need. Thanks to the tireless work of the Grant a Gift Autism Foundation and some generous donors, Ackerman is expanding in size and reach. This will allow them to see more clients… inching closer to the goal of providing treatment to all who need it.
Barbara signature, first name only
ACKERMAN EXPANDS TO FILL NEED
UNLV Medicine Ackerman Center Suite F expansion
Center Director Dr. Julie Beasley cuts the ribbon on UNLV Medicine's Ackerman Center “Suite F” expansion
If you do the math the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 68 American children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) more than 8500 children in Southern Nevada are now living with autism.

That’s a staggering number when you consider only a handful of agencies are providing care in Las Vegas for a complex developmental disability which typically appears during early childhood and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others.

Currently, UNLV Medicine’s Ackerman Center for Autism is the only agency in the state offering a multi-disciplinary approach to treating autism from children as young as 12 months old receiving their initial diagnosis, all the way to group therapy for teenagers and young adults.

Behaviors associated with autism they include: poor motor skills and sensory sensitivities; delayed learning of language; difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation; and challenges with reasoning and planning often require years of therapy to help mitigate. 

Since it opened in October of 2016, the Ackerman Center has been a godsend for parents who suspect their child needs help. Unfortunately, the 35 person staff is burdened by the weight of a 3200 person waiting list. On a daily basis reception personnel hear heartbreaking stories from parents who call hoping to have their child seen by a professional. it’s difficult to tell them they have to wait. They’re given a list of the other local providers and encouraged to contact them until a spot becomes available at Ackerman.

But there is encouraging news. Ackerman is expanding. The center recently hired another clinical neuropsychologist, and thanks to the Grant A Gift Autism Foundation, the center’s fundraising arm, “Suite F” is now open. That means an additional 2,250 square feet is available for therapy-related activities. 

A ribbon cutting for "Suite F" was held July 26th. It was attended by clients, parents, and local dignitaries, including Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly and Mark Doubrava, a member of the Nevada Board of Regents.

Grant a Gift CEO Terri Janison is thrilled by the generosity of donors who stepped up with monetary donations and in kind goods and services. "I’m very excited about this. The opportunity for more children to be seen helps us meet our goal and work towards our mission."

Grant a Gift is also in the midst of an important fundraising campaign. They are hoping to generate $5 million dollars that can be used to hire additional speech and behavioral therapists who can make a dent in the waiting list. If you would like to help, donations can be made at: http://grantagiftfoundation.org/donate

Autism is expensive for both the client’s families and the providers. Treatment can average $60,000 a year, and insurance for treatment of autistic children typically only covers 30-40% of the cost. Properly diagnosing autism takes time. Since there is no medical test, center director Dr. Julie Beasley typically spends 5-10 hours with each new patient. Each week Beasley and Dr. Mario Gaspar de Alba, a board certified Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, deliver the news to between five and ten new families that their child has a life-long condition that requires additional love, support and therapy. According to Beasley, “We will need everyone working on increasing funding, training, and advocacy for children and families with disabilities.”

Shortening the patient waiting list is a top priority, but it’s not going to be easy. According to Ackerman clinic manager Cathleen Danheiser, “If a client is receiving individual daily therapy, that can be 20 hours a week. One full-time (40 hour) therapist can only handle two of those types of clients a week.” When it comes to autism treatment, there are no shortcuts.

It’s easy see the long waiting list and lack of providers as insurmountable. But consider the progress made in the 22 months the Ackerman Center has been in operation. More than 3,785 individuals and families with neurodevelopmental disorders have been served. Staff has performed more than 14,000 diagnostic and intervention sessions. It’s why the Ackerman Center for Autism and its compassionate staff has a growing legion of supporters who believe in the mission that’s being carried out, day by day, one client at a time.

Local businesses that helped Grant a Gift open “Suite F” with in kind products and services:
  • Christopher Homes
  • Mohave Electric
  • Cover It Window Fashions
  • Hardy Paint and Drywall - Hardy Companies Inc.

  • USI - Silver State
  • Statewide Fire Protection
  • CMD INC
  • Sunrise Mechanical
IN THE NEWS   Catch up on news stories about UNLV School of Medicine

Dr. Michael Gardner , CEO of UNLV Medicine, said he is concerned about the shortage of younger doctors. Only 16 percent of U.S. OBGYNs are 40 years old or younger. That is why UNLV’s School of Medicine is doubling its residency program for OBGYNs to six graduates per year, through state funding. The school is also recruiting more faculty. “We know that when you have a residency program, that at least half of those graduates will stay in the local market,” Dr. Gardner said. “We clearly need to be attractive to younger physicians. I would argue it's still the best specialty in medicine.”



Dr. Mario Gaspar de Alba is the medical director of UNLV's Ackerman Autism Center. He says sadly, children with special needs like this boy are more prone to child abuse or neglect
"They're more difficult and parents often lack the tools to handle those special problems or those special healthcare needs of the kids and that increases frustration," Gaspar de Alba said.
He says, demand for special needs services in southern Nevada is greater than the supply and there may be a wait at places, but help is available so parents can get the tools and advice for their children.



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NEW TO UNLV SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
The UNLV School of Medicine welcomes five new faculty additions in August and September:
Jordana Boneh, M.D.,
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Fateh Peera, M.D.,
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Alycia Spinner, M.D.,
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Susanna Sorrentino, M.D.,  
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Jo-Lawrence Bigcas, M.D.,
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
MEDICINE BY THE NUMBERS - 161/10,000
Japan has the world’s highest incidence of autism 161 cases per every 10,000 people studied. The U.S. has the 5th highest rate 66 cases per 10,000 children studied.

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