Stanford Child Mental Health Projects for Ukraine

August 10, 2022: "Addressing Problem Behaviors through the use of Positive Parenting Strategies"; Kyle Cassidy LCSW & Abigail Webber MS 

Behavior issues are a common challenge for many families. Investigating why children are engaging in problematic behaviors is the first essential step toward effecting positive change. This presentation will provide an overview of behavioral principles associated with problematic behaviors, as well as evidence-based parenting strategies to strengthen the caregiver/parent-child relationship.

June 29, 2022: "Treatment Considerations for Substance Use and Behavioral Addicitons"; Bradley Aaron Zicherman MD & Karen Parsons LCSW 

English Recording, click here.

June 22, 2022:  Shea Kelly Fedigan, Ph.D. (Anxiety)

English recording, click here.

Ukrainian recording, click here.

June 15, 2022:  Cultivating Parent Self-Care, Linda Lotspeich, MD, MEd 

About: Being a parent of a child, adolescent, or adult with autism carries unique responsibilities and stressors. The war significantly increases these stressors. This requires extra doses of emotional resilience, perseverance, and resourcefulness. Parents frequently find that there is little time and energy for their self-care. This presentation will emphasize the importance and the gift of parent self-care, not only for themselves but also for the well-being of their children and family. The focus of this presentation will be to provide various ways parents can care for themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally.     

English recording, click here. 

Ukrainian recording, click here. 

Russian recording, click here.

June 8, 2022:  Understanding and Improving Sleep in Children with Autism; Dr. Micah Mazurek 

About: Sleep is essential for health, well-being, and development. Unfortunately, many children with autism have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep at night. This webinar will provide an overview of the basics of sleep, common types of sleep problems in children with autism, and strategies parents can use to help improve their child's sleep.   

English recording, click here.

Ukrainian recording, click here. 

Russian recording, click here. 

June 1, 2022: Supporting and Understanding Children with Autism who Have Experienced Trauma; Dr. Molly Cevasco 

About: Children and adolescents with autism are often incredibly resilient and benefit from the support their families and communities provide. When disruptions to a child's world, whether they come from changes in routines or war, the impacts can be immediate and intense. Families may often feel at a loss in understanding the effects of trauma on their child with autism and may feel helpful to know what to do about it. This talk focuses on understanding why trauma affects children, how trauma may specifically impact children with autism and their families, and recognizing signs that a child may be experiencing traumatic stress. We will also discuss what parents and caregivers can do to help their child with autism cope with trauma exposure and symptoms.

For more information on the topic, click here.

English recording, click here. 

Russian recording, click here. 

May 18, 2022: "Positive Approaches to Assessing and Changing Behavior in Individuals with ASD" Devon White, MS, BCBA 

• English recording, click here.

May 11, 2022: "Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) in Autism Spectrum Disorder," Grace Gengeoux, Ph.D., Maria Estefania Millan, MS, Katherine Paszek, MA

• English recording, click here. 

May 4, 2022: "Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder," Earth Hasassri, MD

• English recording, click here
  Russian recording, click here. 

April 25, 2022: "Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder," Jennifer Phillips, PhD

• English recording, click here. 

April 20, 2022: "Psychopharmacological Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Clinical and Research Update," Antonio Hardan, MD

• English recording, click here.

April 11, 2022: "Trauma in Youth: Stress and Resilience"

• English recording, click here

Toy Drive Step-by-Step

1. Select the toys you want to purchase (Please note, we are unable to send toys that contain liquid, require batteries, or require charging). 
2. Drop off or mail toys to: Stanford Autism Center, 401 Quarry Road Room 1115, Palo Alto, CA 94304
3. Email autismdd@stanford.edu to let us know that you have sent a package so that we can ensure it makes it to us safely. 

Thank you!

Recommended Toys 

There are many ways that YOU can directly help the Stanford Autism Project for Ukraine.

• Donate: Donate toys to children with autism in Ukraine and/or make a monetary donation to the project to support the further development of trainings for Ukrainian families and providers of children with autism. Donate  HERE. Note: Please include "Stanford Autism Project for Ukraine" in the comment section. Please email autismdd@stanford.edu once you make a donation (toy or monetary) so that we can keep track of your donation.                  
• Social Media: Change your profile picture on social media to include the "I Support the Stanford Project for Ukraine" frame. You can do this by clicking HERE.                                                                                                   
• Flyers: Download and share our Toy Drive poster both virtually and physically throughout your community. Remember: you do not need to live near Stanford to participate in the toy drive. You can purchase donations and have them directly delivered to our collection site at Stanford. Find flyers, social media content, and more HERE.

Social Stories (Team Social Stories)

Team Social Story has developed a series of stories to address the crisis in Ukraine. Working with a wonderful group of Ukrainian and Russian language translators, in Europe, North America, and the Middle East, ACT has organized the translations into Ukrainian and Russian. Team Social Story is working on more stories, check back to see the latest. Click HERE for more info. 

Social Narratives (Autism Hub UNC)

A social narrative can explain in simple language what is happening or what will happen. It can identify where the individual may be going and what the expectations are. Helping to clarify what is coming can increase predictability and a sense of control. Using both words and pictures can be helpful to support comprehension and reduce overwhelm. Click HERE for more info, or download the entire social narratives packet below. 

Visual Supports (Autism Hub UNC)

Visuals can offer predictability and promote understanding even in the midst of a chaotic and uncertain time. Using a visual schedule, First/Then, or a visual reminder about the steps of a task can help orient someone to the next activity(ies) and provide a familiar routine. Offering choices, when possible, can also embed a sense of control during a time of crisis. Choices can relate to HOW an activity is completed (e.g., wash your right hand or your left hand first) or WHAT is completed (eat your cracker or your fruit; sing this song or that song) even when there is little option for choice about the activities that must occur. Click HERE for more information, or download the entire visual supports packet below. 

Coping Strategies (Autism Hub UNC)

Trauma can contribute to shutdown, meltdown, physical pain, difficulty communicating, aggression, anxiety, and/or self-injurious behavior. This section includes ideas and supports that can promote coping skills during this very stressful time. Click HERE for more information, or download the entire coping strategies packet below.