ResearchMIND Institute
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What started as a dream by six families united by the challenges of autism and driven with a desire to help families, and the community, is now an internationally renowned center devoted to finding treatments, causes, prevention, and providing education for neurodevelopmental disorders. These families envisioned a place where experts from every discipline related to brain development would work together to ensure better futures for the one in twenty Americans that are affected with neurodevelopmental disorders. Research at the MIND Institute has expanded from autism to also include ADHD, chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome and Tourette syndrome. Since its inception in 1998, the MIND Institute has grown rapidly. From an initial group of 10 faculty and staff to more than 250, the MIND institute is led by a leadership team that includes faculty of distinction: |
- MIND Institute Director, Leonard Abbeduto, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized researcher and leader in improving the lives of children and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities. In addition to his duties as Director, he is the holder of the Tsakopoulos-Vismara Endowed Chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
- Founding faculty member and neuroscientist, David Amaral, Ph.D., is the Research Director and University of California Distinguished Professor and Beneto Foundation Chair.
- Endowed Chair in Fragile X Research and the Medical Director of the MIND Institute, Randi Hagerman, M.D., is a developmental and behavioral pediatrician.
- Robin Hansen, M.D., is the Director of Clinical Programs and Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, as well as Professor and Chief, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics.
- Peter Mundy, Ph.D., is the Director of Educational Research and Lisa Capps Chair for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, as well as a developmental and clinical psychologist.
Research
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Currently, there are over 60 research studies conducted at the MIND Institute. Our researchers and clinicians are studying numerous neurodevelopmental disorders. Research subjects from maternity to age 80 are needed to assist our researchers in these vital research studies.Both individuals and families that are affected with a neurodevelopmental disorder, as well as those that are typically developing are encouraged to participate. In keeping with the MIND Institute’s mission of collaboration, research is conducted at numerous institutions throughout the United States and the world, including universities in Washington, Michigan, University of Southern California and Cal Tech; as well as with researchers in The Netherlands, India, Guatemala, the Philippines, and Australia. |
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MIND Institute Clinics
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MIND Institute clinical programs include many components for assessment and treatment, with a multi-disciplinary staff that is composed of clinicians, psychologists, speech pathologists, geneticists, and medical support staff. Programs include: The Massie Family Clinic providing evidence-based assessment and recommendations to facilitate treatment, care, and interventions for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Providing services for children, teens, siblings and their parents, the Social Skills Training Program provides training, counseling and other services for youth, as well as support for parents. |
The ADHD Clinic provides initial psychiatric clinical assessment, short-term medication management, and consultation for both adults and children with suspected ADHD. The most recent clinic addition is The Clinical Trials, a rapidly-expanding program that is researching innovative, targeted treatments for a range of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Education and Outreach
One of the primary goals of the MIND Institute is to disseminate new knowledge to researchers, clinicians, families, and the community-at-large. Throughout the year, educational opportunities are provided in a variety of formats:
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The Distinguished Lecturer Series presents public lectures by nationally and internationally-recognized researchers in neurodevelopmental disorders with monthly presentations. The Minds Behind the MIND lecture series features leading researchers from the MIND Institute, highlighting their most current research. The Interdisciplinary Training for Autism Researchers Program prepares Ph.D. and M.D. fellows for careers in autism research, with a goal of training the next generation of autism research scientists and clinicians. The Summer Institute on Neurodevelopmental Disorders is designed to help participants keep pace with the latest advances in neurodevelopmental research and the most current standards for best practices in prevention, assessment, and treatment; with an interdisciplinary focus across the lifespan. |
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