Spring 2008 - Thompson Center for Autism and ...

Spring 2008
SOLUTIONS
Governor seeks to double
state autism funding
$5 million would go toward “world class”
Thompson Center facility
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt in January announced
his intention to seek more funding for autism services in
the state. The proposal, unveiled at the Thompson Center
for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, includes
$5 million for a new, expanded facility for the center.
Three other centers in Missouri would gain funding for
programs as well. Just weeks later in his State of the State
Address, Gov. Blunt again called attention to autism, specifically
citing the Thompson Center.
“This year, I recommend $6.4 million to further reduce
the waiting list, $1 million for projects designed to expand
treatment and services, and $5 million for the Thompson
Center in Columbia, a world-class treatment and research
facility we will help build right here in central Missouri,” Gov.
Blunt said. “Combined, this funding will improve the lives of
Missouri families struggling with autism.
The status of legislative proposals and budget measures
affecting autism in the state of Missouri changes rapidly. Check
media outlets and the Thompson Center website for the most
up-to-date information.
“We are very pleased that Governor Blunt recognizes the
need for autism services in Missouri,” said Janet Farmer, executive
co-director of the Thompson Center. “A new Thompson
Center facility at MU is essential for continued development
of our state-of-the-art clinical programs, training opportunities
for students and community professionals, and cutting edge
research.”
Previous support from the state has accelerated the pace of
growth of the Thompson Center diagnostic and intervention
services for children and families affected by autism spectrum
disorders. The center now provides services that promote early
childhood development, enhance academic progress, manage
behaviors, encourage friendships and support the transition
from school to work.
“We are dedicated to family-centered and collaborative care
in the state and want to ensure that no matter where a child
or family lives in Missouri their child will get the same quality
care,” Farmer said. “The Thompson Center strives to be a
resource for families and professionals through our research,
training and clinical services.”
Discovering solutions. Preparing children. Empowering families.
Between July and December 2007, the Thompson Center
saw 1,096 unique children for a total of 3,174 visits. More
than a third have autism with the remaining visits being
made by children with other neurodevelopmental disorders.
The Thompson Center also experienced growth in research
programs and now participates in several national research
networks that study the causes of and treatments for autism
spectrum disorders.
“A larger facility allows the Thompson Center to expand
our interdisciplinary collaborations and our local, state and
national partnerships. This will promote a continuum of care
that starts with early detection of developmental challenges
and leads to effective intervention over time,” Farmer said.
Also in this issue:
The genetics behind autism 2
Model Citizen Fashion Show thrills 4
New Thompson Center website 6
debuts
Third Autism Intervention Conference 7

From the Directors
The MU Thompson Center will celebrate its
third anniversary this month. During its first three
years the Thompson Center has made great strides
towards its mission of improving the lives of individuals
with autism and other developmental concerns.
Interdisciplinary teams are now working intensively
to provide state-of-the-art service programs, conduct
research on the causes and treatments for autism spectrum
disorders and train professionals and parents
how to maximize each person’s success at home and
in the community.
MU’s world class professionals have established the
Thompson Center as a respected resource for families,
educators, health professionals, researchers, policy-makers
and public agencies in Missouri and across
the nation. For instance, the Department of Mental
Health/MRDD recently designated the Thompson
Center as one of three Missouri Autism Centers of
Excellence, along with our partners at Children’s
Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and Cardinal Glennon
Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. In the past year, the
number of Thompson Center clinical services has
grown from six to 15 due to increases in both public
and private funding. In addition, MU researchers have
been selected to join two major national research networks
that will accelerate the pace of new discoveries
about autism--the Simons Simplex Collection and the
Autism Treatment Network. Read more about these
and other exciting activities at the newly redesigned
Thompson Center website, thompsoncenter.missouri.
edu.
The remarkable growth in Thompson Center
programs began with the landmark vision of Bill
and Nancy Thompson and continues because of
tremendous support from people just like you. Our
partnerships have powered this success. In fact, the
growth has been so great that a few months ago
we hired a co-director, Dr. Kathy Thornburg, for a
nine-month period to help administer the Thompson
Center’s operations and prepare our structure for
future needs.
We are very grateful for the resources, time and talents
that so many have contributed. We are especially
indebted to the many families who help guide our
efforts. There is much left to do. But together we will
make a difference - one child and family at a time.
Janet Farmer, Ph.D.
Executive Co-Director
Kathy Thornburg, Ph.D.
Executive Co-Director
New Grant to Fund DNA
Research at Thompson Center
International effort to investigate genetic causes
of autism
The University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism
and Neurodevelopmental Disorders is helping lead a groundbreaking
international effort to search for the causes of autism.
A $1.6 million grant from The Simons Foundation makes the
Thompson Center one of thirteen university-based centers to
be part of the Simons Simplex Collection project – the largest
effort at gathering DNA samples from patients with autism and
their families.
The Simons Simplex Collection is a bold, new initiative to
search for the causes of autism by collecting DNA samples at 13
sites from families with just one child with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD). This initiative is different from past projects
because it is focused on families with just one child with autism,
called simplex families. The Simons Simplex Collection is a
project of The Simons Foundation, a New York based philanthropic
organization seeking to advance research in science and
mathematics.
Recent scientific findings suggest that there may be many
forms of autism. There are core deficits that define Autism
Spectrum Disorders, yet there is a great deal of variation in the
behaviors and level of functioning among children and adults
with some form of ASD.
“Autism is a collection of often quite distinct disorders that
people have just lumped together in the past,” said Judith Miles,
MD, PhD, William S. Thompson Chair in Autism and Principal
Investigator for the project. “In the 1970s every child with leukemia
was treated the same way and very few survived. However,
when we figured out childhood leukemia was a number of different
disorders requiring different treatment strategies, the cure
rate improved to 90%. This is what we want to do with autism.”
To pick out distinct autism subgroups, the Simons Simplex
project has developed the most comprehensive database of uniform
information which will be collected on more than 3,000
families from across North America. Dr. Miles will concentrate
on the medical and family data. Her colleague at the Thompson
Center, Stephen Kanne, PhD, will act as co-investigator and perform
a battery of autism, cognitive and behavioral tests.
“Using state of the art, gold-standard measures in a very rigorous
assessment will help us accurately characterize these children,
and will assist quality research regarding the mechanisms
and causes of autism,” said Dr. Kanne.
All participating families will supply blood samples for DNA
studies. The samples will be stored at a central repository and
made available to qualified investigators throughout the world.
“We are thrilled to be part of the Simons consortium which
brings together the best autism research centers in North
America,” said Janet Farmer, Ph.D., ABPP, co-director of the
Thompson Center. “Each center was chosen because it brings

a bold, new initiative to search
for the causes of autism
a special area of expertise. This is the kind of cooperative
research that is needed to figure out autism.”
The grant requires the Thompson Center to provide comprehensive
data and blood samples on at least 100 families each
year for three years. The center is actively recruiting families
who have one child with autism between the ages of five and
seventeen, at least one unaffected sibling and both biological
parents able to participate. All testing is performed free of
charge for the families and they will be compensated with a small
stipend. Other sites in the project are: University of Michigan,
Yale University, Columbia University; Emory University;
Harvard University; McGill University in Montreal; the
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); the University
of Illinois-Chicago; the University of Washington; Vanderbilt
University and Washington University.
Tony LaRussa to headline second “It’s in the
Cards” dinner gala and auction
Cardinals broadcaster John Rooney
will serve as the emcee and Malcolm
Ivey from Ivey-Selkirk as auctioneer
for the second “It’s in the Cards” dinner
gala and auction at the St. Louis
Ritz Carlton April 30, 2008. This event
offers a unique opportunity to hear the
inside scoop on the 2008 Cardinals
team from Tony LaRussa. There will
also be an update on the key role the
Thompson Center plays in making
a difference for children and their
families who are affected by autism and
other neurodevelopmental disorders.
This is the largest annual fundraising
event for the Thompson Center.
Gala tickets are now available. There
will also be an opportunity to participate in an exclusive VIP reception with
Tony LaRussa. For more information contact Donna Wilkinson at (314)
367-8118.
In Memory of Mike Keathley, 1957-2008
To participate in the study:
Eligibility requirements: Children between the age
of 5 and 17 diagnosed with an autism spectrum
disorder with one unaffected sibling over the age of
4. Participation of both parents is required.
Time Required: Approximately 16 hours (10-12
hours of this time is for completing forms at home)
Location: Thompson Center, University of Missouri
Contact Person: Nicole Takahashi, 573-884-1893,
takahashin@health.missouri.edu
Thompson Center by
the Numbers
(from July to December 2007)
1,096
397
Children seen
Children with autism
seen
699
Children with other
developmental
concerns seen
3,174
Total visits
Mike Keathley, Thompson Center Advisory Council member and commissioner of Missouri’s Office of
Administration, passed away March 5. He had been battling colon and lumphatic cancer for several years.
Dr. Farmer said Keathley had been a staunch ally for all Missourians with autism. “The autism community lost
a dear friend and tireless advocate in Mike Keathley. We mourn his family’s loss and pledge to continue to fight
for autism in Jefferson City and around the state.”

Model Citizen Fashion Show Draws 700, Raises $120,000
MU alumna Jann Carl of Entertainment Tonight headlines signature event in Columbia
A touch of Hollywood came
to Columbia Saturday, March
8 when Jann Carl welcomed
more than 700 guests to the
second annual Model Citizen
fashion show benefiting the MU
Thompson Center for Autism
and Neurodevelopmental
Disorders. Carl, BJ ’82 is weekend
anchor/correspondent
for “Entertainment Tonight.”
Proceeds from the more than
$120,000 raised through the
event go directly to help diagnose
and treat children with
autism and neurodevelopmental
disorders.
A patron’s party before the
fashion show drew hundreds of
revelers and local dignitaries to
a cocktail reception and mixer.
But at 8:00pm the lights at the
Holiday Inn Executive Center
dimmed and the Mistress
of Ceremonies
walked out
onto the stage
to begin the
main event. “Many of you were
here last year, too. Did we have a
great time or what?” Carl asked.
“More importantly, we helped
get the Thompson Center going
full steam ahead. If you’re a
first timer at the Model Citizen
Fashion Show, buckle your seat
belt, this show flies!”
KOMU anchor and Model
Citizen emcee Megan Murphy
made a few remarks and introduced
event honorary event cochairs
Brian and Candy Neuner.
A parade of local and national
designers, boutiques and models
followed. Referencing the kaleidoscopes
in the Model Citizen
guest bags, Carl said to the audience,
“Autism is a spectrum disorder.
As you see your individual
vision inside a kaleidoscope,
think of the children with autism
who see the world differently.
The Thompson Center is helping
these children connect with
others and experience life and
love.”
PHOTOS
Top: Youth models
may have been the
biggest hit with the
crowd
Center: Megan Murphy
and Jann Carl
get a laugh during
their introduction of
one of the designers
Bottom: The “Fly
Girls” collection,
designed by Maggie
Robey, also proved
a crowd favorite.
Inset: Jacquie
Palmer’s “Intosh
Rainwear” was inspired
by her love of
art history.

Friends of the Thompson Center Update
Art contest headlines parents group activities
(excerpted from the Friends of the Thompson Center newsletter)
Children on the autism spectrum can mation, please contact the Friends of the
create wonderful works of art. We hope Thompson Center at FriendTCenter@
to share their creativity with others by aol.com. The deadline for submissions is
hosting an art contest featuring artwork June 1.
created by children with autism. Selected
artwork will be displayed and sold at
PS:Gallery in downtown Columbia from
July 1-26. An artists’ reception will be
held July 18, with proceeds going to the
Friends of the Thompson Center, directly
benefiting families with children on the
autism spectrum. Remaining artwork will
be displayed in the halls of the Thompson
Center for everyone to enjoy.
On January 12, 2008, the Friends held
their first gluten-free, casein-free diet
workshop. We were pleased that many
families were able to attend and learn
more about why to try the diet, and how
to implement it. Starting the diet can be
intimidating, especially when trying to
relay the importance of the diet to other
family members and schools. Dr. Laurie
Fowler, an allergist, and Barb Mitchell, a
The artwork should be on paper or dietician at the Thompson Center, both
canvas and measure no more than 16” by did an excellent job providing the infor-
20”. Media may include crayons, markmation families needed to start the diet.
ers, colored pencils, paint, watercolors, They answered a multitude of tough
chalk and pen or pencil. Photography and questions about the diet and helped par-
3-D sculptures may be submitted as well. ents think about what we feed our chil-
Space for display of sculptures may be dren and how that can affect behavior
limited, however.
and the ability to function each day. If you
All artwork submitted in the course of
this contest will become the property of
the Friends of the Thompson Center and
will not be returned. For additional infor-
missed the workshop and are interested
in a video copy, they will be available for
checkout in the Friends Resource Room
at the Thompson Center.
Save the Date
Friends of the Thompson Center Art Reception • Friday, July 18 • PS:Gallery • Columbia, MO
Visit http://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu for more information
300 Portland St
Suite 110
Pulitzer Prize-winning music critic and author Tim Page visited the University of Missouri campus in March to discuss his New
Yorker Magazine article “Parallel Play: Life as a Journalist with Asperger’s Syndrome.” Page’s visit was sponsored by the
Thompson Center along with the MU School of Journalism, the Center for Arts & Humanities, School of Music and the
University of Missouri Extension Community Development.

6
Thompson Center
Advisory Council
Cathy Allen
Ron Ashworth
Robert Bailey, J.D.
David and Sandra Ballenger
Alan Baumgartner
Marilyn Cox
Tom Davis
Anne Deaton, Ph.D.
Ralph and Shirley Fearon
Mel George, Ph.D.
Dawn Huber
Diane Guenther
Jose Gutierrez
Myles and Lora Hinkel
Julia Kaufmann
Julie Keathley
Vicki McCarrell
Doug and Courtney Mertens
David and Jennifer Milligan
Katherine Pigg
Jack Reis
Melinda Sanders
Bernard Simons
David and Kirsten Sneid
Norm Stewart
Bill and Nancy Thompson
Don Thompson
Emily Thompson
Sara Thompson
Gay Tompkins
Les Wagner
James Whitaker, M.D.
Leslie Whitaker
Pam Williams
Scott Zajac
The Advisory Council provides guidance
and supports the leadership of
the Thompson Center for Autism and
Neurodevelopmental Disorders to accomplish
the mission and goals of the
Center in areas of intervention, research
and education.
Members of the Advisory Council
represent a wide range of occupations and
disciplines. From presidents and chief
executive officers of major corporations
to local community leaders and parents,
the membership will help guide the
Thompson Center to become a nationally
recognized research, teaching and service
center of excellence.
New Thompson Center website debuts
Sporting a streamlined look and
improved organization, the first
major redesign of the Thompson
Center website was recently
launched. The main goal behind
the redesign was to improve navigation,
said Scott Rowson, who
oversaw the project.
“The Thompson Center is
known as a great resource to meet
the needs of families under one
roof,” Rowson explained. “We
wanted the website to better reflect
that role.”
One of the “Best Doctors in America” joins Thompson
Center faculty
Dr. David Beversdorf, MD, a leading
neurological researcher and member
of the 2007 “Best Doctors in America”
list, will join the University of Missouri
‘s Thompson Center for Autism &
Neurodevelopmental Disorders beginning
February 1. Dr. Beversdorf has a
primary appointment with University
of Missouri Radiology and a secondary
appointment with Neurology and
Psychological Sciences in addition to
his role with the Thompson Center. His
work at the Thompson Center will focus
on autism research, including cognitive
neuroscience studies. He will also be
working with adolescents and adults with
ASD.
“We are delighted to welcome a physician
and researcher of Dr. Beversdorf’s
caliber to our already world-class team,”
said Judith Miles, MD, PhD, Associate
Director for of the Thompson Center’s
Biomedical Division.
Thompson Foundation Seeks to Enhance Early
Intervention Services with $100,000 gift
The Thompson Foundation for
Autism recently presented the Behavior
and Education Programs arm of the
Thompson Center with a $100,000 gift
to strengthen and expand services for
young children with autism spectrum disorders
(ASD) and their families. The gift
contains three primary objectives:
• Children will have more rapid access
to Early Intensive Behavioral Interventions;
• Parents will have improved access
to information about autism and to
support services;
• Parents will be trained in strategies
that support their child’s development.
With these enhancements to current
TC programs, children with ASD are
more likely to thrive and families are
likely to cope better.
Research about autism spectrum disorders
(ASD) clearly shows that early
intervention and effective parent training
can improve a child’s developing skills
and enhance family coping. However,
parents faced with this life-altering diagnosis
often report difficulties navigating
a complex and fragmented system of
care to access appropriate services. Wait
lists for individual child treatments can
be lengthy; delays in care are common.
Parents often become confused and frustrated
and critical intervention time is
lost.
As families complete the diagnostic
process at the Thompson Center, they
are armed with a clearer understanding
of their child’s unique developmental
patterns and they have written recommendations
about needed services.
This project proposes early intervention
enhancements at the Thompson Center
so parents can access a continuum of care
following ASD diagnosis and children
have more rapid access to developmental
and behavioral treatments.

Third Autism Intervention Conference
draws more than 600 participants
The third annual Autism Intervention
Conference drew more than 600 participants
to the University of Missouri for five
days of workshops, training and professional
development. While the original intent
of the conference was to provide training
for parents and educators in empiricallybased
intervention strategies, the conference’s
size, reputation and breadth have
expanded greatly. 125 family members,
353 professionals and 66 presenters were
on hand. At the same time the conference
has become increasingly relevant for psychologists,
speech and language pathologists,
medical professionals, applied behavior
analysts, habitation and employment
specialists, vocational rehabilitation counselors,
case coordinators and advocates.
This is perhaps best reflected by an everexpanding
range of topics, the recruitment
of presenters from across the country and
the increased availability of continuing
education credits.
This year’s conference included two preconference
workshops, a meet and greet
and more than seventy conference sessions.
There were also numerous vendor and
agency booths and meetings that addressed
a number of professional and organizational
needs and initiatives. These included
a meeting of the Missouri Association for
Applied Behavior Analysis, a meeting of the
Missouri Autism Coalition, and a planning
meeting to establish statewide standards
regarding the assessment and diagnosis of
autism spectrum disorders.
Participants turned in high marks for
the third installment of the conference and
plans are already in the works for 2009.
Pictures from top to bottom: Sponsor Angela Nolan and her daughter enjoy
a laugh near the vendors tables; Jenny Milligan and other Friends of the
Thompson Center parents group meet a parent; Thompson Center Advisory
Council member Gay Thompkins makes a point to State Senator Scott Rupp
before the legislator’s remarks to the conference.
Thompson Center Gift Puts
MU over $900 million mark
The University of Missouri’s For All We Call Mizzou capital
campaign surpassed the $900 million mark in February
on the way to a $1 billion goal. One of the gifts that helped
MU reach this milestone was a $5,000 gift given to support
the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental
Disorders. Ron and Carol Ashworth, major donors to MU
from Chesterfield, gave the gift. Ron Ashworth, a member
of the Thompson Center Advisory Council, is chairman
of the board of Sisters of Mercy Health System in
Chesterfield. Carol Ashworth attended MU’s College of Arts
and Science.
“The University of Missouri is providing leadership in
many areas, including its work to solve the mystery of why so
many children have autism,” Ron Ashworth said.
“We are excited to see this level of outside investment in
the future of the University, which increases MU’s ability to
serve our students, our state and our nation,” MU Chancellor
Brady Deaton said. “We appreciate our alumni and friends
who serve MU in so many ways through their generosity of
time and donations.”
Thompson Center Development Officer Kellie Ann
Christie hailed the gift as both symbolic and substantive.
“The generosity of Ron and Carol has not only reemphasized
how central the Thompson Center is to MU, it will also
make a difference for families and children with autism.”
7

Your gift
Giving Levels
for the
Thompson Center
Friend
up to $999
Partner
$1,000 - $4,999
Mentor
$5,000 - $14,999
Sponsor
$15,000 - $24,999
Leader
$25,000 - $99,999
Benefactor
$100,000 plus
Address:
300 Portland St. Suite 110
Columbia, MO 65211
300 Portland St. Suite 110
Columbia, MO 65211
can help the Thompson Center find solutions to the
puzzle of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Name (please print):______________________________________________________________
Street address: ___________________________________________________________________
City:__________________________________________ State: _________ Zip: ______________
Phone: _____________________________E-mail: ______________________________________
Enclosed is a check for $___________________________________________________________
Made payable to The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
____ Please charge my: ____Visa ____ Mastercard ____ Discover
Card # __________________________________________ Expiration date:________/_________
Signature: _______________________________________________________________________
(required for credit card payments)
____ This gift is for the Thompson Center’s greatest need
____ This gift is restricted for _______________________________________________________
(please specify)
____ Please send me information
on how to create an endowment to
benefit the Thompson Center
Contact: Kellie Ann Christie
Phone: (573) 884-3644
Email: ChristieKA@missouri.edu