Marcus Autism Center

Four months ago, the Marcus Crisis Prevention Program (MCPP) set out on a journey to train Georgia’s largest school district, Gwinnett County Public Schools, on their crisis prevention system.

Fast forward to today, the program trained 145 educators and leaders that are now equipped to develop and train crisis prevention teams in their schools, creating a safer and more positive learning environment.

For more information about the MCPP training program, please visit https://bit.ly/4fJOAeS to learn more.

In an interview with Behavioral Health Business, William Sharp, Ph.D., Director of our Multidisciplinary Feeding Program, shares how important it is to understand food selectivity in autism. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3VEMCTY.

Feeding Disorder Treatment Programs Urgently Needed for Children with Autism Eating problems beyond picky eating are “exceedingly common” among children. Children with autism spectrum disorder are even more impacted, with around

Our Marcus Autism Center staff, patients and families had a great time celebrating Caregiver Wellness Week. Our caregivers heard from a panel of community groups, family members and self-advocates in the autism community, participated in wellness activities and connected with other families who share similar experiences.

Watch out kindergarten, we have a new Pre-K graduate coming your way. 🎓

After Aadi was diagnosed with autism at 18 months old, his parents knew they needed to find an inclusive preschool program that understood his needs. That's when they discovered the Marcus Autism Center's Louise and Brett Samsky Preschool. With the support of his teachers, Aadi learned how to verbalize his needs and engage with his classmates.

Fast forward to today, Aadi's parents are so grateful for all the support and information the preschool program has provided. Aadi is excited to put his well-honed social skills to work as he starts kindergarten this fall.

Earlier this month, leaders from the Louise and Brett Samsky Preschool led a training at the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. The training focused on identifying early signs of autism in the classroom and best practices for implementing activities where children with and without autism can learn together in an inclusive environment.

We are excited to announce that Drs. Ami Klin, Warren Jones and Colin Muething were all selected by the Atlanta Business Chronicle to receive a Healthcare Champion Award as Innovators of the Year in Research and Pediatric Healthcare. Congratulations!

We are incredibly proud of our very own Dr. Warren Jones, Director of Research at the Marcus Autism Center, and his team for their EarliPoint Evaluation tool, which was awarded a silver prize in the 2024 Edison Awards Health, Medical & Biotech category. The EarliPoint Evaluation tool is the first-of-its-kind advancement that helps clinicians diagnose and assess autism for children ages 16 to 30 months of age. Learn more at https://edisonawards.com/2024-winners/.

Earlier this month, Dr. Ami Klin, Director of the Marcus Autism Center, presented to the United Nations about ways to ensure equal access to essential technologies for people living with autism.

When Garrett began experiencing behavioral challenges at a young age, his parents knew they needed to find a school program that understood his needs.

Garret was referred to a teacher who had been trained through the Marcus Autism Center School Consultation Program and was able to create an environment that was safe and welcoming. Our School Consultation Program provides consultation, training, and professional development for school systems to effectively serve students with educational needs and behavioral challenges, especially those diagnosed with autism and related disorders.

It didn't take long for Garrett's family to see his transformation as he began thriving both at school and at home.

Learn more about our School Consultation Program: https://www.marcus.org/care-and-services/autism-school-consultation-program.

Our Louise and Brett Samsky Preschool at Marcus Autism Center recently hosted its second annual Open House for current and prospective families in the community. Families were invited to mix and mingle, while the kiddos explored sensory play stations, face painting and story time with the Theatre for the Very Young from the Alliance Theatre.

During , we asked our staff to share why they love working at Marcus Autism Center. Click through to see some of their heartfelt responses, and comment below why you love the Marcus Autism Center.

Every day, the team at Marcus Autism Center goes above and beyond to help kids with autism spectrum disorder have every opportunity to reach their full potential. Thanks to a special donation from generous members of the Marcus Autism Center Advisory Council—Joane Goodroe and Mindi Shelton—your renewal gift during the month of April will be matched and doubled up to $20,000 in recognition of .

Make a donation today and help us continue to deliver compassionate care, conduct innovative research and maximize the potential of children with autism throughout Georgia and beyond: www.marcus.org/donate.

In an interview with Atlanta Parent Magazine, our Program Manager for the Marcus Autism Center’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy and Learning and Language Program, Dr. Rachel Yosick, shares how important it is to find an ABA program for children with autism as early as possible.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3J6PyTe.

Atlanta Parent_APRIL 2024 Read Atlanta Parent_APRIL 2024 by Atlanta Parent on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start here!

Throughout this week, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Center for Advanced Pediatrics was lit up blue for one minute every 30 minutes in recognition of .

Help us continue to deliver compassionate care, conduct innovative research and maximize the potential of children with autism throughout Georgia and beyond by donating today: www.marcus.org/donate.

Support the patients at Marcus Autism Center during !

This month, stop into any Bad Daddy's Burger Bar, Kendra Scott or participating California Pizza Kitchen locations to help support the Marcus Autism Center and make a difference for kids living with autism. Learn more at www.choa.org/april.

Our Marcus Autism Center staff, patients and families had a magical time seeing Santa at The Collection at Forsyth last weekend! 🎅 Our staff created a sensory-inclusive visit for our patients with reduced lines and personal visits with Santa.

A school break is a time that many children look forward to, but for kids with autism, a change in routine and environment can be overwhelming. It's important to maintain a schedule that is as consistent as possible.

Dr. Chelsea Fleck, behavior analyst, intensive outpatient program case manager at the Marcus Autism Center, shares tips to ensure school breaks are a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone.

For many, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is a time of joy. For some autistic children, this time may present distressing disruptions to their routines. You can ease holiday travel stress for your child with autism by planning and practicing well in advance.

Dr. Kathleen Edmier, a clinical psychologist at Marcus Autism Center, shares tips to facilitate holiday travel that is safe and fun for autistic children and their families.

Today is . When you donate to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, you’re impacting the lives of Georgia kids—including those at Marcus Autism Center. Your gift allows us to continue to work towards brighter futures for kids with autism. Give today: https://bit.ly/3SIq2cZ.

Leading up to , we asked our Marcus Autism Center patients and staff and Louise and Brett Samsky preschool students to share what they are most thankful for this year. Scroll through to see their sweet and heartfelt responses and share yours in the comments below. Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

Happy Halloween from our Marcus Autism Center staff and Louise and Brett Samsky Preschool teachers! 🎃

Halloween can be spooky and fun for all children, but the holiday may be a little trickier for kids with autism. Some Halloween traditions—like wearing a costume, going trick-or-treating or even hearing the doorbell ring repeatedly—may be challenging.

Dr. Bianca Brooks, a psychologist in clinical assessment and diagnosis at Marcus Autism Center, and Chris Booth, LWMS, from our clinical care coordination team, are sharing a few tips to ensure Halloween is safe and fun for children with autism and their families.

Fall is in the air at the Louise and Brett Samsky Preschool! 🍁 🍂

This week, our preschool students and families had a blast at our fifth annual Fall Festival. Thanks to the generous support of our parent volunteers, the festival featured a wide variety of activities, like hay wagon rides on the playground, face painting, sensory exploration and experiments and so much more. Even Reggie, one of our Therapy Dogs of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, joined in on the fun, too!

Earlier this month, our care coordination team hosted a Care Closet Event for our patient families. Thank you to our incredible employees who donated clothing and shoes for our Marcus Autism Center families to take home. ❤️

Join us in congratulating Dr. Colin Muething, a Psychologist and Program Director for the Severe Behavior Program at Marcus Autism Center and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University, for being appointed to the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ZTluCe