Autumn 2010: Of Note

Adults with Autism ‘Get a Life’

Social nuances are challenging for Andrew Grimes. Diagnosed with autism at age three, the twenty-six-year-old supply technician has struggled to form lasting friendships, preferring solitary hobbies such as drawing and solving puzzles.

“The fact is that children with autism grow up to be adults with autism. It really is a lifelong disorder,” says Associate Professor of Human Genetics Joseph Cubells. “Sadly, many end up very lonely.”

But through the Emory Autism Resource Center’s Get a Life program, Grimes hangs out with a college student volunteer, practicing the finer points of male bonding. Paired with volunteers by age and interests, adults with Asperger’s or autism go on weekly outings to play sports, watch movies, help out at other community organizations, or just talk.

The staff recruits volunteers—including many Emory students—who spend at least two hours a week with the participant. The program is in need of volunteers older than twenty-five, as well, to spend time with similar-aged clients, according to Toni Thomas, program manager for Family and Adult Services.

In addition, the center’s Adult Community Assistance Program provides ongoing services to about forty adults with autism, including individualized services, social skills workshops, and monthly social gatherings hosted by Emory’s chapter of Best Buddies International, which pairs students with people with developmental disabilities.

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Autumn 2010

• Prelude
• Letters to the Editor

Of Note

• College Life What’s important to Robin Forman, new dean of Emory College
• Feeling Lucky A poker pro joins Emory’s most competitive freshman class
• Microbrew Meds Ancient humans drank beer laced with antibiotics
• Big Heart on Campus Bill and Carol Fox continue to support their favorite cause
• What’s Green and White and Read All Over? Hint: It’s the new bookstore
• Caughman Named Interim Director of Health Sciences Center
• University Ranked Twenty National benchmark places Goizueta at thirteen
• Vox Populi Olga Grushin 93C’s second novel, The Line, is pure poetry
• The Plot Thickens A resting place with a green twist
• New Rules Shifting course, to better prepare law students for practice
• Beautiful Words Carlos hosts first Islamic calligraphy exhibitions in the Southeast
• The Producer Walter Mirisch shares some trade secrets
• A Smoking Gun Helping China strategize to reduce tobacco harm
• Choosing Sides Right, left—or moderate?
• Double Vision Combining MRI and PET scans improves imaging
• Adults with Autism ‘Get a Life’ Emory Autism Resource Center’s program improves social skills
• Perfect Pitch Emory in the news
• Ticker Alumna honored as top poet

Features

• Lost and Found David Thon 08MPH was seven years old when he and thousands of others embarked on a nightmare trek from southern Sudan to Kenya. Years later, work with The Carter Center brought him back home.
• Breaking a Vicious Cycle Jimmy Carter is planning a send-off for the last Guinea worm on earth
• Positive Signs Even as the HIV/AIDS pandemic continues its stealthy global advance, Emory scientists are striking blows against the virus from all directions.
• Hope for an AIDS Vaccine Meet Robert Parker, who decided to volunteer at Emory’s Hope Clinic to test a new AIDS vaccine. He shares his story in this audio slideshow.
• Health Wanted In impoverished countries like Mozambique, where safe water is scarce and malaria and AIDS claim lives daily, an Emory-based global association—and a Rollins alumna—are helping to establish critical new public health systems.
• Shattering Stigma Rosalynn Carter continues her crusade to bring mental illness out of the shadows—and onto equal footing with physical ailments

Campaign Chronicle

• Emory Icon Creates A Heartfelt Legacy
• Stay Connected
• Giving Programs Get a New Focus
• Founding Dean, Spouse Support Public Health
• Fleming Family Continues Support of Oxford College
• Former Emory Resident Supports Scholarships
• Alumnus Becomes Annual Donor to Emory Law
• Schools and Units Digest

Register

• Letter from the President Thinking again about the university’s purposes
• From the EAA Emory everywhere
• The English Major Applying literature to legislating
• Alumni Ink Claiming her roots
• Coda Reflections on AIDS