Kochel Lab for Clinical Autism Research at BCM

05/11/2026

Free! Autism-Focused Webinars📣

Join WPS ProLearn for two upcoming webinars focused on autism. The SRS®-3 and Its Role in Clinical, Educational, and Scientific Frontiers in Autism

Tuesday, May 12th
12:00 p.m. PT (3:00 p.m. ET)
Free | 90 minutes
1.5 credits available for purchase*

Presented by John N. Constantino, MD & Ann K. Rogers, PhD, NCSP

This course will provide an overview of the new Social Responsiveness Scale, Third Edition (SRS-3): its rationale, historical context, evidence base, and advances over prior versions.

05/10/2026

This Mother’s Day, we want to recognize and celebrate all of the incredible autism moms and caregivers in our community. 💙

The moms who advocate tirelessly, adapt endlessly, celebrate every milestone, and continue showing up with strength, patience, and unconditional love each and every day. From navigating routines and sensory needs to educating others and supporting their children through every challenge and success — your dedication does not go unnoticed.

Thank you for being a source of comfort, resilience, and advocacy for your children and for helping create a more understanding and accepting world. Wishing all of the amazing moms and mother figures in the autism community a very Happy Mother’s Day! 🌸

Inspired by this thoughtful article from Autism Speaks:

This blog post was written by Kathy Hooven, mother to a son with autism.

05/09/2026

NORD’s Texas Rare Action Network and Baylor College of Medicine MHG/Texas Children's Hospital Genetics invites you to join patients, families, caregivers, and other rare disease community members at The Health Museum on May 9, 2026, from 11 to 2 p.m. for a family friendly event. Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsor, Sanofi, for helping make this event possible.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet other patients and caregivers, get connected to community-based organizations, and enjoy the museum for free! Jill Rosenfeld Mokry, MS, CGC, will be presenting on the Undiagnosed Disease Network. Hear about this valuable national resource, how to get involved, and how to refer patients.

Click here to register:

Questions, please contact:  Debbie Skolaski NORD Rare Action Network Texas Ambassador  Deborah.Skolaski@rareaction.org

05/06/2026

Join us on Saturday, May 23, 2026, as Cara Ramos, OTR, MOT discusses practical strategies families can use to increase or reduce sensory inputs for their children with autism. Afterwards, Sadaf Ali, MA, CCC-SLP will lead a networking activity, allowing families to connect with each other.

Event Details:
Location: Melcher Life Sciences
Date & Time: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 11 am - 1 pm
Lunch will be provided for attendees
Parking is free
RSVP Required: https://redcap.link/n0j0v7uy

Child care will be provided for this event

05/04/2026

🌟🏕️ Be a Hero This Summer – Become a Camp Counselor! 🏕️🌟
Join The Arc of Harris County on June 13–19, 2026 at Camp for All in Burton, TX for an unforgettable week of fun, friendship, and impact!

As a Camp Arc counselor, you’ll help create lifelong memories for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities—all while building leadership skills and making amazing connections.

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up today!
Learn more at www.thearchouston.org
Questions? Contact wendy@aogh.org

05/01/2026

Pal of the Month: Pepe
Type of Breed: Border Callie/German Shephard
Pet's age: 2
Fun Fact: Pepe is fast! He likes to retrieve sticks and balls but does not like to return them. His favorite activity is snuggling.

Do you have a pet "pal" who would like to be featured as a Research PAL of the month, or are you currently looking for a "pal"? Complete our form to submit information about your PAL to be featured: https://redcap.link/icf4mbf0

04/29/2026

The WV ATC is pleased to announce an upcoming series of 4 virtual presentations designed to provide valuable information and tips to parents and caregivers of individuals with autism. The series begins on April 28th and will be held weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 7:30 pm through May 19, 2026, and each session will address a specific topic. They are free and open to the public but do require registration. Please visit the following website or use the QR code in the attached flyer to access the registration website.

Registration available at:

The West Virginia Autism Training Center is hosting a series of 4 sessions for parents of children diagnosed with autism. These sessions are free, and open to all parents and caregivers of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sessions will be held virtually from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm each Tuesday...

04/27/2026

Join Partners Resource Network on Tuesday, April 28th at 12:15 PM CT for a free webinar - Preventing Learning Loss: When Extended School Year Services Make a Difference

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_Y_E8fHHXTwOWAKUoQ3xX1w

Extended School Year (ESY) services help some students with disabilities keep important skills when school is out. Many families are unsure what ESY really means, so this session explains it in clear and simple ways.

You will learn what ESY is — and what it is not. We will talk about the laws that guide ESY, how schools decide who may need it, and how teams use student data to make fair choices.
Through easy examples and tools, you will learn:
How to tell when ESY might help your child
How to look at regression and recoupment
How to work together as part of the IEP team
By the end, you will feel more confident speaking up for your child and helping the team decide if ESY is needed.

Guest presenter: Cathryn King, Region 10 ESC

04/24/2026

We know the steps in every autistic journey are different, and every step matters to science. SPARK researchers are helping understand how autistic lives evolve over time. From sleeping, to making friends, to living independently, we continue to study all aspects of the autistic experience. We have made a lot of progress, and along the way, we have become the largest study of autism ever! With your help, the future will be even brighter.
This , SPARK is thrilled to be celebrating TEN YEARS since our launch. We are building the future of autism research together — step by step.

04/20/2026

✨ Check out this article by Dr. Elizabeth Klinepeter!

This piece highlights the urgent need to improve hospital care for children on the autism spectrum by adopting a whole-child approach—one that considers communication styles, sensory needs, and the critical role of family partnerships. It also calls for meaningful changes in provider training and healthcare systems to better support autistic youth.

🔗 Read more:
https://blogs.bcm.edu/2025/04/18/advancing-hospital-care-for-children-on-the-autism-spectrum-the-time-is-now/