News from the Shriver Center

VaxAbilities disability-friendly vaccination clinics are now available to ensure that Massachusetts residents with developmental disabilities and other sensory-support needs have the most comfortable and positive COVID-19 vaccination experiences possible. Vaccine appointments at designated disability-friendly locations staffed with trained professionals will provide skilled support to children and adults with disabilities and their family members and caretakers.

Remember what it was like to be a kid and needing to get a shot at the doctor’s office? Chances are, it was probably not your favorite activity.

For many people with disabilities, especially children, getting a shot can become so traumatizing that it prevents the individual from becoming vaccinated. Often parents don’t know where to turn when the usual vaccination channels don’t address sensory issues and other challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their families.

On April 2, when UMass Medical School illuminates its landmark building blue, it will be participating not only in the International Light It Up Blue Celebration to show solidarity with millions of people across the world living with autism, it will also be affirming its commitment to the many people and families in Central and Western, MA.

The UMass Medical School Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center’s Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CANDO) clinic, in partnership with the Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, has joined the Autism Learning Health Network of Autism Speaks. The network convenes academic leaders in autism and other neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities nationwide to standardize and share clinical data collection and outcomes research to improve care for children and families affected by autism spectrum disorder.

Since the emergence of COVID-19 early in 2020, many fundraising efforts have gone entirely virtual, due to the necessity of mask-wearing and implementation of strict social distancing guidelines.

One such event took place back in September, as the Doug Flutie Jr Foundation For Autism held a virtual 5K, committing that all funds raised by partner organizations would be contributed back to them.

The Autism Insurance Resource Center’s team of 16 members (ranging from 3 years old to Senior Citizens), enthusiastically walked and ran, and most importantly, raised cover $10,000 in contributions to support their important work, achieving the 3rd highest team total!

Congratulations to “Team AIRC” and its dedicated group of supporters!

Congratulations to Sue Swanson, Project Coordinator for Pathways for Inclusive Health Care at the Shriver Center! Sue was nominated by State Rep. David LeBoeuf and selected by the Mass Commission on the Status of Women to be a Commonwealth Heroine Class of 2022. She was recognized for her efforts to get the city of Worcester to construct Coes Park, the first multi-generational and universally accessible playground.

Patrick Gleason, MA recently sat down with us to discuss his professional responsibilities at the Shriver Center, and what makes the Shriver Center such a special place to work in a “Q & A” format.  Be on the lookout for similar pieces highlighting other Shriver Center faculty and staff in the coming months.

Having a brother or sister with a serious mental illness is stressful for other siblings in the family. Now an innovative support program is available for families of youth and young adults hospitalized in the inpatient adolescent psychiatry units at the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital.

“Our sibling support program strives to decrease trauma and build resiliency among family members of psychiatrically hospitalized patients,” said Emily Rubin, MA, founder and director of the program at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMass Medical School and assistant professor of psychiatry. “It further builds capacity among providers who practice family-centered mental health care.”