At the first Research Unplugged event of the fall season, Michael J. Murray led a discussion titled "Autism: A Psychiatrist's Personal and Professional Journey in Understanding the Spectrum." An attentive audience of students, faculty, and community members—including parents of autistic children—attended to listen, learn, ask questions and express their views.
Murray, an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey College of Medicine, explained that after years of researching autism, the subject came home when his now-teenage son was diagnosed a decade ago.
Based on observations that his younger daughter was the best teacher and role model for his autistic son, Murray initiated an ongoing research project called the Comprehensive Social Skills Training program, which matches adolescents with high-functioning autism with same-age peers who don't have the disorder. Results are encouraging, Murray told the audience, noting that the program gives autistic teens a chance to practice the social skills training they receive.
Please join us on Wednesday, October 21st for Michael Hogan's discussion on "Deliberation or Disruption? Lessons from the Town Hall Meetings on Health Care Reform."
For more about Michael J. Murray, read on...