AJ Drexel Autism Institute

We are so honored to be a part of this amazing partnership and work!

Now recruiting!
✨ SDARI (Socio-Dramatic Affective Relational Intervention) is an improv-based social group designed to build confidence, friendships, and social-emotional skills in a fun, neuro-affirming environment.
✨ This clinic group is for autistic youth ages 8–17
✨ 10-week program using engaging improv games and theater activities to build real-life skills like flexibility, perspective-taking, and reading social cues.
✨ Small groups (3:1 ratio)
✨ No acting experience needed
✨ In-person at AJ Drexel Autism Institute (in Philadelphia, PA across from 30th Street Station)
✨ Scholarships available thanks to the Miranda Family Foundation & Weisbrot Family
📩 [email protected]
📞 215-571-3435
Social Connections & Treatment Lab - SCTL Autism Life Course Outcomes Research

Seeking Gaming Systems! 🎮
The Autism Institute's SDARI Youth Program, which hosts kids aged 8-17, is seeking a gaming system for our participants to use during their break time. If you happen to have one lying around not being used, we would love to put it to good use! Any system is fine by us - Wii, old Playstations or XBoxes, etc.
If you have one that you would like to donate, please contact Kyleigh at [email protected]
Thank you so much!
Social Connections & Treatment Lab - SCTL

We are pleased to introduce our second Summer Scholar, Alex Steffon! Alex will be working with the Modifiable Factors in Autism Research program area for the next 8-weeks. Alex tells a bit more about herself.

"Hi there! My name is Alex Steffon, and I’m from Green Lane, Pennsylvania. I am currently a junior at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg majoring in Psychology, with the goal of pursuing a career in psychological research. I am honored to be a part of the Summer Scholars Program and excited for the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute through this experience. I look forward to working alongside my mentors and engaging with the community throughout the program."

Welcome, Alex!

We are thrilled to announce that today begins the 6th year of our Summer Scholars program! This unique program offers undergraduate students an opportunity to learn about autism research in a specially curated 8-week program. Our two Summer Scholars this year were carefully chosen from a large pool of applicants and interviewees. Let's meet our first Summer Scholar, Aissata Kone from Dickinson College. Aissata will be working with our Early Detection and Intervention Research Program as well as our LifeCourse Outcomes Research Program.

Hi! My name is Aïssata, and I am a senior at Dickinson College. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in French & Francophone studies. Outside of school, I enjoy writing, dancing, reading, hiking, and cooking new recipes. I am looking forward to being a Summar Scholar because the position combines my passion for community and public health studies with my academic pursuits in psychology. Drexel is also particularly dear to my heart as I am a West Philly native :) I am excited to see what new experiences and engaged learning this opportunity will bring.

Welcome, Aissata!
Social Connections & Treatment Lab - SCTL Autism Life Course Outcomes Research

The AJ Drexel Autism Institute’s Social Connections & Treatment Lab - SCTL is working in collaboration with Temple University’s Social Developmental Neuroscience Lab for a new study enrolling children 9-13 years old!

The goal of our study is to help us learn about how children with autism process social and nonsocial rewards. Families eligible to join this study will be compensated as a thank you for their time.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please reach out to:
💻 [email protected]
📱 (610) 632-1019 or
❓complete this short survey: https://bit.ly/4tus8gJ

Introducing a new study at the Autism Institute!
We are seeking minimally-speaking or non-speaking autistic children ages 5-15, along with their parent/caregiver to join us for a play study to help understand how autistic children with limited speech engage with others during play.
Please scan the QR code or email the contacts on the flyer to get started!

🌟 Help Your Child Manage Their Anxiety – Join Our Facing Your Fears Study! 🌟
🧠 An Evidence-Based Group CBT Program 🧠

🏫 Offered by Drexel University & Montclair State University
- For families of autistic children ages 8–14 👨‍👩‍👧
- Learn strategies to manage anxiety.

✅ Eligibility
Autistic youth ages 8-14 with anxiety may be eligible to participate!
➜ If you are eligible and interested, submit your info to the link below.

🧠 What’s involved?
- A visit to our lab before and after the intervention to fill out questionnaires and for your child to participate in an EEG
‍
🎯 Facing Your Fears Group
- 14 weekly in-person sessions, 90 minutes each
- Child + caregiver attend together
- Held at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute in Philadelphia, PA or Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ.

📩 Interested?
📍 Philadelphia Area families: email: [email protected] or call 215-571-4195
📍 North Jersey families: email [email protected] or call 973-655-3615

We’d love to hear from you!
https://drexel.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cGrDnz5fedALiWa

Now is your final chance to join in EXPRESS Study: Seeking Caregivers of Minimally-Speaking or Non-speaking Autistic Individuals Ages 8 and Older. This study will be ending June 1st so join us now!

This study is for caregivers of minimally-speaking or non-speaking autistic children or adults. Caregivers must understand sufficient English to complete the online study. The person you care for must be aged 8 and older, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and currently be non-speaking or minimally-speaking. This study is fully online. The goal of this study is to understand communication methods used by non-speaking and minimally-speaking individuals on the autism spectrum.

Disclaimer:
- This study is unpaid.

Benefits:
- Increasing the knowledge of different communication styles of minimally-speaking and non-speaking autistic individuals.
- Increase the understanding of the challenges, benefits, and usefulness of different communication methods among this group.

If you are interested in participating or learning more, you can:
- Email us at [email protected] (express underscore study at drexel dot edu)
- Text or call us at (215) 571-3291

Join in the Pathways to Independent Living: Disability Resource Fair on June 17th!

This event is for young people ages 14-26. The event is for those with disabilities, special health care needs, or other barriers impacting their transition into adulthood. They connect youth with resources related to health care, education, employment, insurance, and independent living.

The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., located at 4601 Market Street, 1st Floor Lobby, Philadelphia.

Pre-registration is required. Please see attached flyer.