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Diagnostics/Research - San Antonio 
The Centers have started formalized diagnostic services. This program
component will link the community at large to support services and
information about autism spectrum disorder as well as conducting assessments.
The Autism Treatment Centers have developed a video conferencing network,
the Texas Research and Information Network for Autism (TRAINA). This project
is delivering virtual model classroom education to graduate-level teachers,
diagnosticians, agency caseworkers, and parents in Dallas, San Antonio,
Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos and the University of Texas
Pan Am in Edinburg, Texas. The next phase of this project is to conduct
diagnosis and assessment through tele-health services.
Research & Innovations The Possible Role of Intolerance to Milk/Dairy and Wheat/Gluten Foods in Older and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: ATC- investigated possible metabolic processes relevant to ASD and a dietary intervention to improve Central Nervous System dysfunction (2001). Published in conference proceedings: An Autism Odyssey. Sunderland: University of Sunderland, Autism Research Unit (183-191). This study was the subject of two Reuters- London articles, April 5, 2001 and June 13, 2001, and was cited in the Autism Research Review International (ARRI), Dec. 2001 and ANDI (Autism Network for Dietary Intervention) News, Summer 2001, as well as being presented at two state, one national, and one international conference. This was the Autism Treatment Center’s initial entrée into the research arena. The Effects of a Comprehensive MRT-based Elimination Diet on CNS Function in Individuals with ASD: ATC- as a follow-up to the previous year’s pilot study, a study of the Mediator Release Test, to determine if this blood test could be an efficacious means of determining food sensitivities in order to mitigateCNS system. To be published in conference proceedings: Building Bridges. Sunderland: Univ. of Sunderland, Autism Research Unit (2002). Presented at two state, one national, and one international conference. TRAINA (Texas Research and Information Network for Autism); after a TIF (Telecommunication Infrastructure Fund) grant established a virtual classroom, with the San Antonio and Dallas centers and the University ofTexas Pan American, originating at Southwest Texas University (Dr. Webber’s graduate Autism class), and was the impetus for conceptualizing the virtual clinic. 
REAP (Research and Evaluation of Autism Preparation) Center, under the auspices
of Cheryl Fielding: Educational Psychology Department, College of Education,
University of Texas Pan American- to prepare UTPA students to participate in
and/or conduct full individual evaluations (FIE) of children suspected of
having autism and to provide appropriate educational recommendations for public
school instructional and related services. With the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic
Observation Schedule) - a state-of-the-art assessment protocol as a centerpiece,
interdisciplinary team members from throughout the state can convene with
teleconferencing to evaluate an individual at the REAP center, and develop
recommendations through a grand rounds process.
Dr. Fielding and ATC are scheduled to present Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Virtual Clinic for The ARC of Texas in the Rio Grande Valley and Texas Fiesta Educativa 2002 conference, Nov.16, 2002. Dr. Webber, Southwest Texas University, is recommending a similar effort at that university with the Educational Psychology Department. CAN (Cure Autism Now) grant proposal: Tele-Intervention: Evaluating the Use of Video-conferencing Technology for Supporting Individuals with Autism; Jeff Sigafoos, Mark O’Reiley, Department of Special Education, College of Education, University of Texas at Austin with ATC; developing from the initial TRAINA project, will add essential communication and behavioral intervention components to the virtual clinic, provide follow-up support to teachers, parents, and caregivers, and evaluate the project. CAT-D (Computer Accommodations for Texans with Disabilities) project proposal: ATC with UT Department of Special Education, College of Education - to expand diagnostic services to evaluate for augmentative communication devices; to develop training systems utilizing hand-held computers, presented by video clips a task analysis to prompt interaction, self-care, vocational, and leisure skills. Sensory Defensiveness and Autism; Janet Kern, Ph.D, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas with ATC - to study the mechanisms underlying sensory defensiveness in ASD, evaluating participants in terms of age and severity. Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Autism: Kay Lewis, University of Texas, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pediatrics and Neurology with ATC- to determine the possibility of mitigation of autism symptoms as a result of VNS implants for epilepsy control. Preliminary results have been promising. Possible future study: Dr. Lewis has recommended that, in a fashion similar to the current VNS project, ATC should conduct baseline and intervention evaluations, on a proposed study of possible interventions, e.g., ear drops or electronic masking, to increase Speech-in-Noise Intelligibility in individuals with autism. This is arguably the auditory analog of the visual perceptual-social deficit discussed as mind blindness. What is Autism? How do you know if your child may be autistic? Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT):
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