CARES Project

The Clinic for Autism Research, Evaluation and Support (CARES) is operated in the same space as the Speech-Language-Hearing clinic. The CARES project is a collaborative effort between departments in the Colleges of Health Professions and Education to provide much needed, accurate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. Graduate student clinicians in the Departments of Comminication Disorders, Physical Therapy and Exercise Science as well as the School Psychology and Special Education program, under the supervision of licensed clinical faculty members conduct assessments using well researched evaluation tools.

Please click here to view our flyer for an overview of the CARES program.

For a more in-depth look at the CARES assessment, please click here to view our brochure.

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Referral Process

After the initial referral or phone call to CARES, the clinic director will explain the assessment process to the parent/guardian while gathering preliminary information. If the parent chooses to pursue CARES services, a meeting will be scheduled to provide more details, collect the deposit, and distribute an assessment packet for the parent to complete. Once the packet is returned, the arena team will schedule the assessment. After the assessment is completed, the team will compile a comprehensive report of assessment findings and schedule a feedback session.

What are autism spectrum disorders?

Autism is a neurological disorder affecting about 1 in 150 U.S. children. Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are generally present by the age of 3 and include deficits in social interaction and verbal/nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors and/or interests. Often, individuals with ASD also have unusual responses to sensory stimulation.

ASDs can differentially affect a person's functioning, from a very mild to severe impact. Individuals with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most people. Autistic disorder is the most commonly known type of ASD, but there are others, including Asperger’s Syndrome and "pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified" (PDD-NOS).

Although research is rapidly progressing, no consensus exists about the causes of ASDs. Etiological theories include both genetic and environmental components. While no known cure for ASD exists, the general agreement is that early diagnosis followed by appropriate, intensive treatment and instruction can greatly improve outcomes for most individuals with ASD.

An individual with autism might:

^{Have trouble relating to others or show no interest in other people at all}

^{Avoid eye contact and want to be left alone most of the time}

^{Have trouble with, or no interest in understanding other people's feelings or they talk only about their own feelings}

^{Resist being held or cuddled by others}

^{Appear to not hear people talking, but respond to other less obtrusive sounds}

^{Repeat or echo words or phrases said to them}

^{Have trouble adapting when a routine changes, or react violently to such changes}

^{Not engage in "pretend" play}

^{Not point to objects to show interest}

^{Seem unaware of objects/events that are indicated by another person}

For additional information, please contact the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at 512-245-8241, or e-mail:

az11@txstate.edu

Mailing Address:

Texas State University-San Marcos

The Department of Communication Disorders

Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, HPB 101

601 University Drive

San Marcos, Texas 78666