Representatives from The Children’s Guild Foundation, medical staff and Women & Children’s Hospital gathered during the announcement of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Center.

This Autism Spectrum Disorder Center is being established with a 3-year, $585,000 grant from The Children’s Guild Foundation. 

"The Children's Guild Foundation has provided long standing significant support for the children and families at Women & Children's Hospital.  This grant allows us to advance pediatric specialists in a coordinated team approach to address the needs of children with autism," said Cheryl Klass, RN, President, Women & Children’s Hospital.

It is estimated that one of every 150 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while boys are four times more likely than girls to be affected.  Most children have signs of an ASD before they are three years old.

"Our center is unique because at the initial visit, each child will be seen by a developmental pediatrician, child neurologist and child psychologist and then discussed by the team about the need for further testing, services and care," said Michelle Hartley-McAndrew, MD, neurologist and clinical assistant professor of pediatric neurology, University of Buffalo. 

"For over five decades, The Children’s Guild Foundation has supported the Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo in its work with special needs children and their families," said James A. Bourne, Board Chair of The Children’s Guild Foundation. "In that time, we have contributed almost $17 million towards services and programs designed to effect positive impact in the lives of these children.  In addition, our funding is focused so that all children with challenges may achieve their highest potential," he added.

In total, the Autism Spectrum Disorder Center is projected to be a $1.08 million program that also includes funding from Women & Children’s Hospital in addition to The Children’s Guild Foundation’s gift over the next three years. The University at Buffalo School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences will have an integral role in the Center’s research, clinical and educational initiatives.

Autism spectrum disorders are a group of related brain-based disorders that affect a child’s behavior, social and communication skills.  This condition affects children of every racial, ethnic and socioeconomic background but each child on the spectrum is unique with different symptoms, strengths and challenges.  The number and severity of symptoms can vary greatly and children may need support from different medical disciplines. 

Components of the comprehensive program will improve access and turnaround time to diagnosis; provide family-centered coordination of care; promote collaboration within research, service and community groups and launch a targeted communication, information and education campaign. 

Women & Children’s Hospital is the only provider of medically-based diagnostic services for autism in Western New York.  In addition to the professionals and staff in the departments directly involved in the multidisciplinary center, Women & Children’s Hospital offers a comprehensive range of pediatric specialty services to offer support and testing in areas such as occupational and speech therapy, nutrition and feeding, sleep disorders, genetic testing and imaging. 

For more information, please visit: http://www.wchob.org/autism or to schedule an appointment call (716) 878-7600.  

Incorporated in 1910, The Children's Guild Foundation provides financial support through grant funding to nonprofit organizations working in the fields of medical, behavioral, developmental, learning and mental health that strive to enhance and/or improve the quality of life for children with special needs.  In addition, the Foundation funds research initiatives, both locally and nationally, which concentrate in the area of pediatric developmental disabilities.

Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, a Kaleida Health facility and teaching hospital for the University at Buffalo School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, is the regional center for specialized pediatric, perinatal and obstetrical services in Western New York and beyond.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.

Related Kaleida Service: Autism - Children’s Guild Autism Spectrum Disorder Center