The High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, supported by the Common Fund at the National Institutes of Health, has awarded a $1.95 million grant to Ronald R. Seese, M.D., Ph.D., a developmental neurologist at Akron Children’s Hospital and an associate professor of pediatrics at Northeast Ohio Medical University. The 2023 NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5) is […]
Sister dedicates book to older brother, shares tips on befriending a child with autism
From the moment she was born, Tara Johnston, of Canal Fulton, was in a unique situation to learn how to befriend a child with autism. Now, 19 years later she shares all the knowledge she has learned in a self-published book, “Tara’s Tips for Friends with Autism,” which is dedicated to her older brother, […]
What is a psychometrist? Hint, this professional may play a valuable role on your child’s care team
Say “doctor” or “nurse” and you’ve got a pretty good idea of how these professionals fit into Akron Children’s care team. How about “psychometrist?” That job title may be less familiar to most. A psychometrist is responsible for the administration and scoring of cognitive, psychoeducational, developmental and neuropsychological tests. At Akron Children’s, psychometrists are based […]
Akron mom is a fierce advocate, cheerleader for 2 young children with special needs
Sharmba Varner begins her workday at 4:30 a.m. and, for this mom of four, including two children with special needs, life rarely pauses for one minute until her early evening bedtime. That’s fine with Sharmba. Even though having a daughter on the autism spectrum and a son with Down syndrome means days filled with extra […]
Brotherly bond
The Venner boys share a similar diagnosis – autism – but, just as no 2 kids are alike, neither is their disorder. “As we listened to our friends talk about their children the same age, we began to realize Oscar was very different,” said Jason, the boys’ dad. “He wasn’t socializing with kids his age, and often found repetitive and routine things much more a necessity than comforting. His pediatrician suggested that we test him for autism.” As Oscar struggled with fine motor […]
