Autism Related Content

Pathways Academy: Meeting the Needs of Students With Autism

Every child deserves and must have the opportunity to learn and reach their full potential…” Started in 2000, McLean Hospital’s Pathways Academy is a year-round, 216-day school designed to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of students, aged 6 to 22, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)...

Supporting Children & Teens on the Autism Spectrum

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that impacts an individual’s ability to interact and communicate with other people and the surrounding world. Like other diagnoses that can affect mental health, autism can vary widely in its scope and severity. Autism is a very common...

Podcast: Navigating Autism Through Childhood Years

Jenn talks to Laura Mead about identifying and addressing the needs of children and teens with autism spectrum disorder. Laura provides examples of signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in kids and teens, shares ways to support the needs of our loved ones as they get older, and answers...

Video: Navigating Autism Through Childhood Years

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a very common developmental disability, impacting one in 54 children. What is true for one child with autism may not be true for another, as the spectrum varies in its severity. While it is a lifelong condition, its social, communicative, and behavioral challenges...

Video: Helping Kids & Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum Thrive

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a very common developmental disability, impacting one in 54 children. What is true for one person with autism may not be true for another, which can be challenging for kids and teens with the condition as well as for caregivers trying to understand ASD. So, for...

Podcast: Autism 101 – A Guide to the Spectrum of Disorders

Jenn talks to Laura D. Mead, MSEd . Laura provides insight into recognizing the signs of autism and discusses treatment and support for children and parents. Laura D. Mead, MSEd, is the educational administrator at Pathways Academy, McLean Hospital’s school for students on the autism spectrum, with...

Video: Autism 101 – A Guide to the Spectrum of Disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) starts early in childhood and lasts throughout a person’s life. It can impact how a person acts, interacts, communicates, and learns. And since it’s a spectrum, there are many disorders that fall under the umbrella of ASD. But what causes it? How can we treat it? And...

Video: Tips to Help Children With Autism Thrive

Both the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and management of the condition can be frightening to parents. You may be unsure about the best ways to help your child, feel conflicted over treatment advice and suggestions, or feel that you may not be able to make a positive impact on their...

Exploring the Biological Basis of Autism

One way to begin to understand the causes and effects of psychiatric illnesses is to examine the brain on the cellular level. More specifically, scientists look at how cells function on an individual level and how they interact with other cells in the brain. The Integrative Neurobiology Laboratory...

Great Expectations: One Student’s Road to Success at Pathways Academy

Jeffery Lindeland is a two-sport athlete for Belmont High School who successfully fundraises on behalf of his teams and is reaching academic goals in a grade-level math class. Five years ago, his mother, Joy Anne Moses, did not know any of these things were possible. Diagnosed with a cognitive and...

Staff Profile: Roya Ostovar, PhD

Roya Ostovar, PhD, is an internationally recognized developmental neuropsychologist. She has extensive expertise and experience in the assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), neurodevelopmental disorders, learning disabilities, non-verbal learning disorder, sensory processing...

Staff Profile: Bill Carlezon, PhD

Bill Carlezon, PhD, has received several awards for his research, including an Independent Investigator Award from the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD), the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from George W. Bush, and the Jacob...

Staff Profile: Caitlin Ravichandran, PhD

Caitlin Ravichandran, PhD, provides statistical support for collaborative research, with an emphasis on applying her background in longitudinal and hierarchical linear modeling to the analysis of data from neuropsychiatric studies and studies of autism spectrum disorders. After completing her...

Staff Profile: Laura D. Mead, MSEd, MBA

Laura D. Mead, MSEd, MBA, a teacher and administrator with 20 years of experience in special education, is currently the co-director of Pathways Academy, McLean Hospital’s school for students on the autism spectrum often with co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses. Ms. Mead’s background is in psychology...

Staff Profile: Karen Steves, MS

Karen Steves, MS, has worked at McLean since 2001. As co-director of Pathways Academy, she works to establish a safe and therapeutic environment for staff and students. Ms. Steves has been a certified trainer with the Crisis Prevention Institute since 2009 and is currently a master level certified...

Staff Profile: Karmen Koesterer, PsyD

Karmen Koesterer, PsyD, obtained her undergraduate degree in special education from Grand Valley State University. She worked as a special educator before earning her master’s degree from Harvard University. She then worked in the field of autism research for several years. As a doctoral student in...

Pathways Academy

Pathways Academy is a year-round, therapeutic day school developed to meet the social, sensory, psychological, and educational needs of children and adolescents ages 6 through 22 with autism spectrum disorders as well as other related disorders. Our school addresses social pragmatic (social...