MIT, Groden Network receive $10 million NSF grant to study children with autism

From The Providence Journal:

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Groden Network and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab have received a $10-million, five-year grant from the National Science Foundation to develop new technology for measuring and analyzing behavior in children with autism.

Dr. Matthew Goodwin, director of clinical research at the Media Lab, will collaborate with researchers from five other universities, including Boston University, on the first large-scale effort by computer and behavioral scientists to create technology to diagnose and intervene in the lives of those with autism spectrum disorder. (Goodwin is also associate director for research at the Groden Center).

Autism spectrum disorder refers to a group of complex neuro-developmental disorders that causes social, communication and behavioral problems in children and adults. It affects approximately one in 110 children in the United States.

The team will work on developing several different technologies, including video, audio and wireless physiological recording systems, to gather, analyze and track behavior more precisely than is currently possible. The goal is to offer new methods for identifying children at risk for autism and other developmental delays and to help clinicians improve the way they deliver and evaluate treatment.

Dr. June Groden, co-executive director of The Groden Network, said, "We're thrilled by the opportunity to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the country on projects that will help us better analyze data and behavior."

The Groden Network provides evaluation, therapy and educational programs for children and adults with ASD, serving more than 800 clients a year. With four separate centers, The Groden Center offers day, residential and vocational programs for children with autism and related disabilities. The Cove Center provides similar services to adults and Kingston Hill Academy is a public charter school that provides individual learning plans for every student.