Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at UAB

Mrs. Audrey is the glue that holds us together- so glad to see her recognized by the Department of Pediatrics!

👋 Meet Audrey Minter, Patient Services Coordinator I with the Sparks Center for Development and Learning Disorders. Audrey enjoys helping patients and families feel supported while creating a positive experience throughout their care journey! Thank you Audrey for your continued dedication to the families we serve! 💚

📅 Save the date for our next Lunch & Learn!

The UAB Regional Autism Network (RAN) is hosting Lauren M. McCartney, CRC, LPC, NCC, from the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) for an informative session on transition and employment services.
🗓 Wednesday, June 10th
🕚 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
💻 Free virtual event on Zoom
🔗 Register here: https://uab.zoom.us/meeting/register/fj4lF2CfQMSXY0N7RoCAwg #/registration

📅 ¡Reserve la fecha para nuestro próximo seminario Lunch & Learn!

La Red Regional de Autismo de UAB (RAN) presentará a Lauren M. McCartney, CRC, LPC, NCC, de Rehabilitación Vocacional del Departamento de Servicios de Rehabilitación de Alabama (ADRS), en una sesión informativa sobre servicios de transición y empleo.

🗓 Miércoles 10 de junio
🕚 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
💻 Evento virtual gratuito por Zoom
🔗 Regístrese aquí: https://uab.zoom.us/meeting/register/fj4lF2CfQMSXY0N7RoCAwg #/registration

🎉🎓 Huge congratulations to our 2025-2026 UAB LEND graduates! Over the past year, these dedicated trainees have worked to develop their leadership, research, and clinical skills to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families across Alabama.

We can’t wait to see the incredible impact you will continue to make as leaders in the field! 🌟👏

Hi friends!

We invite you to attend UAB RAN's evening session today on Guardianships and Alternatives to Guardianship, led by Jennifer McInerney, Attorney with the McInerney Law Firm.

🗓 April 22, 2026
⏰ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM CST
💻 Zoom

This presentation is ideal for individuals, families, and professionals looking to better understand guardianship and less restrictive alternatives.

👉 Register here:
https://uab.zoom.us/meeting/register/bhO20V1wQIKCrCdQtsSmmg

Please share this FREE event with others who may find this information helpful! Spanish interpretation will be available.

One of our LEND trainees offers a reflection on her experience at the recent Alabama Autism Conference on our blog

Remembering Our Why: A Mother and Son Share Their ASD Story – Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Remembering Our Why: A Mother and Son Share Their ASD Story Posted on March 23, 2026Author sokelleyCategories Blog, Trainee Highlights Blog prepared by Gracie Fischer, Current UAB LEND Speech-Language Pathology Trainee In February, I had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Alabama Autism Conference i...

Hi Friends!

Mark your calendar for these upcoming UAB RAN Spring Events.

🍽️ Project Transition Lunch & Learn
📅 March 25, 2026 | 🕚 11 AM–12 PM CST | 💻 Zoom
Presenter: Hannah Willoughby

🧩 Community Education Workshop: Challenging Behaviors
📅 April 10, 2026 | 🕥 9:30 AM–12:30 PM | 📍 St. Clair County Board of Education
Presenters: Dr. Stacy Ladden & Dr. Stephanie Stoll
Topics: Conscious Discipline, behavior supports, connection strategies, routines, calming corners, rewards systems.

📱 Safe Screens, Sound Minds Workshop
📅 April 28, 2026 | 📍 Lineville Baptist Church
Presenter: Brian Geiger
Learn smartphone/internet safety, using free online protection tools, and reporting online harassment.

_______

¡Hola amigos!

Anoten en sus calendarios estos próximos eventos de primavera de UAB RAN.

🍽️ Almuerzo y aprendizaje sobre el Proyecto Transición
📅 25 de marzo de 2026 | 🕚 11:00 a. m. a 12:00 p. m. CST | 💻 Zoom
Presentadora: Hannah Willoughby

🧩 Taller de educación comunitaria: Comportamientos desafiantes
📅 10 de abril de 2026 | 🕥 9:30 a. m. a 12:30 p. m. | 📍 Junta de Educación del Condado de St. Clair
Presentadoras: Dra. Stacy Ladden y Dra. Stephanie Stoll
Temas: Disciplina consciente, apoyo conductual, estrategias de conexión, rutinas, rincones de calma, sistemas de recompensas.

📱 Taller Pantallas Seguras, Mentes Sanas
📅 28 de abril de 2026 | 📍 Iglesia Bautista de Lineville
Presentador: Brian Geiger
Aprenda sobre seguridad en teléfonos inteligentes e internet, cómo usar herramientas gratuitas de protección en línea y cómo denunciar el acoso en línea.

Happy 10 years, RAN! 🥳

From the STARS Lab and Dr. Caroline Richter:

We are excited to share the publication of our recent study, “The Role of Anxiety on Reading Comprehension in the Context of Socioemotional and Cognitive Risk and Promotive Factors,” in the journal Mind, Brain, and Education, led by Brianna Paquette (University of Alabama at Birmingham) and Rachelle Johnson (Florida State University), under the mentorship of Dr. Caroline G. Richter.

This study explored how different types of anxiety—general and test-related—are related to children’s reading comprehension. We found that general anxiety was related to test anxiety, but test anxiety itself did not significantly impact reading scores. Instead, traits like attention and effortful control were strong predictors of reading success. Interestingly, high levels of positive emotions sometimes made reading harder, possibly due to reduced focus.
The findings suggest that while a little anxiety may help children stay alert, too much can hinder reading performance. Supporting children’s focus and emotional regulation may be key to improving literacy outcomes.

Learn more on our blog:

Recently Published Study on Anxiety and Reading Comprehension in Children – Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Recently Published Study on Anxiety and Reading Comprehension in Children Posted on February 10, 2026February 10, 2026Author sokelleyCategories Blog, Research Blog post by Lily Jackson We are excited to share findings from one of our recent publications, “The Role of Anxiety on Reading Comprehensi...

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the Annual Alabama Autism Conference on February 27!

🌐 Learn more & register: autism.ua.edu
📞 Questions? Call 205‑348‑0356

Hi Friends!

Don't forget to join us for UAB RAN's last Lunch & Learn session of the month.

Register here: https://uab.zoom.us/meeting/register/-p2nrstmQFSjXVDb0Ou6gA

***
¡Hola a todos!

No olviden unirse a nosotros en la última sesión de Almuerzo y Aprendizaje de UAB RAN de este mes.

Regístrense aquí: https://uab.zoom.us/meeting/register/-p2nrstmQFSjXVDb0Ou6gA