Canisius College and Congressman Brian Higgins have announced a federal grant of $379,731 for the college’s Institute for Autism Research (IAR), according to an article in the Niagara Frontier Publications. The grant, awarded by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, will be used to fund research on aging and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in older adults. The funding comes from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging.

The research team, which includes Jennifer Lodi-Smith, Jonathan D. Rodgers, James P. Donnelly, Christopher Lopata, and Marcus Thomeer, aims to enhance understanding of the life outcomes of adults with ASD and bridge the research gap in older adulthood. Canisius College has a strong track record in producing valuable autism research, and this grant will support their ongoing contributions.

The Institute for Autism Research at Canisius College specializes in developing treatments for children with high-functioning ASD. With this grant, Canisius researchers will extend their expertise on aging to a critical area of scholarship. The project involves partnering with community organizations to recruit individuals aged 65 and older. Participants will complete online surveys and in-person assessments to assess ASD symptoms and multiple domains of aging.

The goal of the project is to facilitate longitudinal studies of aging in adults with and without ASD characteristics. It will also test potential indicators of positive aging outcomes for future intervention research. The study welcomes participation from adults of all ages, with a specific focus on individuals age 65 and older. It is important to note that a diagnosis of ASD is not necessary to participate, and individuals with varying degrees of ASD characteristics will be included.

The funding for this project is provided through the NIH’s R21 grant mechanism. The Institute for Autism Research is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to understanding and enhancing the lives of those affected by ASD. Researchers from diverse backgrounds collaborate to address critical questions related to causes, development, assessment, treatment, and education of ASD. Their research has resulted in new treatments provided by IAR staff to community partners and schools.

The Institute for Autism Research is also committed to training the next generation through academic, research, clinical, and community-based experiences. The article concludes by mentioning that Niagara Frontier Publications holds the copyright for all materials on their website, and reproduction of materials requires written consent from them.