One out of every 36 children in the United States is diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With the prevalence rising, it’s become critical that a better understanding of the condition be achieved. Dr. Barry Prizant is a Rhode Islander who’s recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on autism and neurodiversity. 12 News’ Adriana Rozas Rivera sat down with Prizant to redefine autism.
IN THIS 12 ON 12: Autism Redefined | 3 Key Things to Know | What is Autism? | Full Interview | About Dr. Prizant | Local Resources | Recent News
Autism Redefined: Dr. Prizant offers new perspectives on the condition
3 key things to know about autism and the changing landscape
1. Redefined: A condition not a disorder
2. A ‘Uniquely Human’ lens: Guided by the autistic community
3. A new outlook: Language, prevalence and causes
What is autism?
As defined by CDC & The Autism Project
WATCH: Full interview with Dr. Prizant
About Barry Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, has more than 50 years of experience in the field of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disabilities.
He is a speech-language pathologist and has been a tenured professor of communication disorders at Southern Illinois University and Emerson College. He also founded the Communication Disorders Department at Bradley Hospital.
Since 1998, Prizant has been the director of Childhood Communication Services (CCS) and has served as an adjunct professor in the Center for the Study of Human Development at Brown University.
He has published more than 130 articles and chapters on autism, childhood communication disorders and child development, has given more than 900 seminars and workshops in all 50 states and 25 countries. Prizant has served on the Editorial Board of six scholarly journals and wrote a regular column for Autism Spectrum Quarterly for five years.
Additonally, Prizant has co-authored several books on the subject. His latest, written with Tom Fields-Meyer, is “Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism,” was published in 2015 by Simon & Schuster.
WATCH: Dr. Prizant and Michael Carley on The Rhode Show
Local Resources
The Autism Project
1516 Atwood Ave., Johnston, RI 02919
Phone: 401-785-2666 | 9 a.m to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Walk-ins and appointments welcome.
- Family Support: For parents, caregivers, and family members supporting individuals with ASD and other developmental conditions
- Training & Education How-Tos: Toolkits to help you support your child or the children you work with in play and transitions
- Training & Workshops: Continuing education aimed at fostering inclusive, safe, and supportive environments for people on the autism spectrum
- The Annual Imagine Walk: Get involved, have fun, join the community
Lifespan
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD) at Bradley Hospital
- Verrecchia Clinic for Children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities
1011 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence, RI 02915 | 855-543-5465
Mass.gov Resources for families
- Autism support centers
- Autism Insurance Resource Center (MassARC)
- Autism housing pathways
- Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM)
Recent Autism News on WPRI.com
All Autism Headlines on WPRI.com »
Credits
Reporter – Adriana Rozas Rivera
Photographers/Editors – Adriana Rozas Rivera, Michael Costanza
Executive Producers – Lee Dooley, Jen Quinn
Graphic Designer – Matthew Buteau
Special Thanks – Shaun Towne, Susan Tracy-Durant, Karen Rezendes
