A handful of buildings and well-known landmarks across GW’s campuses will take on a new hue tonight as part of World Autism Awareness Day.
Duques Hall, the Marvin Center, 1957 E Street, the Media and Public Affairs Building, Kogan Plaza, Ross Hall, the F Street House, the Clock Tower at the Mount Vernon Campus and the entrance to the Virginia Science and Technology Campus will shine blue light in honor of the nonprofit Autism Speaks’ Light it Up Blue global initiative to raise awareness about autism.
“GW is proud to be part of this awareness campaign for autism,” said Heather Russell, director of development in the Office of the Vice President for Research. “Autism is a primary initiative for GW, and we hope to make a significant impact in research, treatment and policy in the years to come.”
Blue search lights will also shoot up into the sky from University Yard. Across the world, iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, Rockefeller Center and Niagara Falls will take part in the initiative.
The general term “autism” refers to a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that fall along a spectrum. Autism spectrum disorders often are typified by impairments with communication and social interactions and repetitive behaviors that typically appear in the first three years of life. They’re believed to be caused by a combination of genes and environmental factors.
According to a report released last week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of autistic children in the U.S. has soared by 78 percent since 2002. With a new case of autism diagnosed every 15 minutes, an estimated one in 88 American kids has an autism spectrum disorder. For boys, it’s one in 54.
In honor of World Autism Awareness Day and Light it Up Blue, the GW student chapter of Autism Speaks is asking its members to dress in blue today.
“As more and more children become diagnosed, it is increasingly important for Americans to understand what autism is and how it affects the daily lives of those affected by it,” said Julie Steinberg, co-president of the GW’s Autism Speaks student chapter. “We’re delighted that our university has chosen to take a key role on such an important issue. This will only help to increase autism awareness on GW’s campus.”
Three years ago, autism was one of several key research areas identified by GW. Since 2010, GW faculty have conducted over 30 research projects studying causes and treatment for autism and related disorders. And the university plans to create an autism institute in the next few years, which will be a partnership with Children’s National Medical Center.
The institute’s scientists and physicians will strive to bolster the knowledge and treatment of autism from several angles, including providing assessments and treatments (like medication or therapy to sharpen social skills), conducting research and clinical trials, and becoming a hub of public policy analysis on the topic.
“Autism is something that GW has as a priority for the future,” said Leo Chalupa, vice president for research.
Autism-related efforts at the university currently range from explorations of the brain and its development to studying the use of art therapy for autistic patients; from training teachers to work with kids with emotional and behavioral disabilities to analyzing health care policy and research methodology; from studying the effect of culture in identifying and treating autism to the search for biological hallmarks that could be used to a diagnose the disorder. And the Graduate School of Education and Human Development offers an Autism Spectrum Disorders graduate certificate program.
Valerie Hu, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, is one of 30 GW faculty members across the university who are working on autism research or research in related fields. Dr. Hu seeks to understand autism through the fast emerging field of epigenetics – studying inheritable marks on DNA that determine levels of gene activity – rather than hunting for genetic mutations. She’s examined how an autism-linked gene is sensitive to hormones and studied biological hallmarks that can be used in screening DNA for autism.
According to Dr. Hu, there is no comprehensive autism institute in the Washington metropolitan area that integrates diagnosis, appropriate interventions, basic and translational research and public policies. In fact, many parents, including Dr. Hu, whose son has autism, don’t know where to turn after their child receives an autism diagnosis.
Dr. Hu envisions GW becoming that place for parents to turn.
“GW can be a major player in the local and surrounding communities by offering integrated diagnostic and clinical services as well as support to individuals and families affected by autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders across the lifespan,” she said. “GW will also be able to offer affected individuals the opportunity to participate in basic and translational studies on autism, which will benefit the global community.”