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Autism Science Foundation Announces INSAR Travel Award Recipients

(March 7, 2024-New York)  The Autism Science Foundation today announced the recipients of its travel awards for the 2024 INSAR (International Society for Autism Research) meeting in Melbourne, Australia.  These awards provide travel support for scientists presenting their data in the new “High Support Needs and Profound Autism” topic area. Out of many meritorious applications, the following scientists have been selected for funding to support travel to Melbourne: 

Autumn Austin, M.A.
Drexel University

Self-Injurious Behavior in Individuals with Profound Autism Who Have Medical Conditions

Ms. Austin will present data as part of the INSAR panel “Advancing Understanding of Self-Injurious Behaviors across the Lifespan: Characterization, Mechanisms, and Treatment Considerations”  Her work focuses on the relationship between pre-existing medical conditions and different types of self-injurious behaviors (SIBs) such as head banging, skin picking, self hitting and biting. Her presentation will provide actionable information about reducing self-injurious behaviors in those who cannot verbalize their pain or their feelings.

Emily Ferguson, PhD
Stanford University

Characterizing Relationships between Developmental and Clinical Features and Self-Injurious Behaviors in Profound Autism

Dr. Ferguson will also participate in the panel presentation “Advancing Understanding of Self-Injurious Behaviors across the Lifespan: Characterization, Mechanisms, and Treatment Considerations”. Her work focuses on the role of emotional dysregulation and anxiety on the frequency and intensity of self-injurious behaviors. Knowledge of these precursors can be used to signal the onset of an episode and allow for prevention of the behavior.  Dr. Ferguson is currently the co-chair of INSAR’s  “Severe, Intense and Dangerous Behavior” special interest group and was a 2020 ASF predoctoral fellow.

Valerie Colantuono, M.S.
Drexel University

Adaptive Functioning in Profoundly Autistic Individuals Who Engage in Self-Injurious Behavior across Different Topographies – an Examination Using the Adapted Behavior Assessment System – 3rd Edition

Ms. Colantuono will present data in the oral session on “High Support Needs and Profound Autism”. Ms. Colantuono studies adolescents and adults living in a community-based residential program who experience self-injurious behaviors, looking specifically at how SIBs can drastically affect daily living. Ultimately, her data may provide clinicians information to help reduce self-injury. 

 

The INSAR annual meeting will be held May 15-18, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. INSAR is not involved in selecting the ASF travel awardees. 

  

UK members employed in the profession of Autism Research can claim tax relief on their earnings.

HMRC’s list of approved bodies (LISTED AS: Autism Research International Society for, with effect from 6 April 2023) and UK members employed in the profession of Autism Research can claim tax relief on their earnings. 

INSAR’s UK members may access the process for making a personal claim for tax relief by visiting:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-income-tax-relief-for-your-employment-expenses-p87. 

  

Important update regarding the INSAR policy brief, which has directly led to a significant change in UK government policy. 

 We are very pleased to announce that the recommendations from our INSAR policy brief have been incorporated into the new UK National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023-2028, published by the UK Government's Department for Health and Social Care. This suicide prevention strategy explicitly cites and links to our INSAR policy brief, stating a commitment to continuing to involve the autism community in future research and policy decisions.

This means that autisitc people are specified as a key high risk group in the UK suicide prevention strategy for the first time. As recommended in our INSAR policy brief, the strategy stresses the need to improve access to autism diagnosis and mental health support post diagnosis, and reducing risk factors for suicide in autistic people. The DHSC has also launched a significant fund (£10 million) for charities to start to implement the recommendations in the strategy.

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Goodwin Showcases Biosensor-Based, Aggression - Predicting Autism Research in APA Keynote

On Saturday, Matthew Goodwin  found himself in Washington, DC, one of a handful of keynote speakers at the American Psychological Association’s annual convention. It was a prominent talk at a prominent event put on by a prominent scientific organization.

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Save the Date for INSAR 2025: April 30 - May 3

Save the date for INSAR 2025. We will be in Seattle, Washington, USA  April 30 - May 3 for the next INSAR Annual Meeting. Click the button to learn more about our Annual Meetings.

 

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Now Available! Autism Research Author Interviews

In order to bring greater visibility to papers published in Autism Research, INSAR is conducting interviews of the authors of selected papers. These interviews are short highlights of the key motivations and findings of the paper. Interviews will be posted on the INSAR website, with links to the full paper. Use the button below to view the first interview.

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Now Available! Watch the Recording of the C-CAP Pursuing Research & Clinical Work Webinar

The C-CAP hosted a webinar featuring Paulina Buffle, Research Associate, and Naoufel Gaddour, MD, on their experience pursuing research and clinical work involving community engagement for autism research. Use the button below to view the recording.

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INSAR On-Demand Information

INSAR On-Demand was a new event that offered virtual access to selected sessions from this year's Annual Meeting. Recorded sessions from our live event in Stockholm have been released along with additional live Q&A and webinars. 

This event was free to INSAR members. Membership opened June 1! Use the button below to view the events FAQ, Schedule, and more.

 

Learn More Here