UNMC MMI logo; gold, red, grey header; Mary in circle frame; Research Achievement details – text: Title: Empowering Caregivers: Integrating a Coaching Framework with Project ImPACT; Description: This project will introduce a proven, evidence-based program, Project ImPACT (Improving Parents as Communication Teachers), to the ACT Clinics. Project ImPACT is a model that explores everyday routines and play to help children develop communication, social skills, and engagement. The initiative will elevate caregiver engagement and measurably improve outcomes for children with autism and their families. Collaborators on this project include: Co-investigator Amber Paden (iCASD), Chandler Pederson (iCASD), Eden Bauer (iCASD), and Leslie Castano Van Winkle (Speech Language Pathology)

🎉Please join us in congratulating Dr. Mary Halbur on receiving an MMI Guild Grant!

Mary is an Assistant Professor & Clinical Director of ACTION in the Department of integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

#unmcMMI #mmiResearch #ResearchAchievement #Research #mmiiCASD

Research achievement notification; info as listed in post; text: Comparing Structured and Natural Naming Experience on Incidental Bidirectional Naming in Children with Autism; Description: Children with autism and language delays often require direct teaching for every new word, which places a substantial burden on families and clinicians. In contrast, typically developing children learn words naturally through everyday interactions with their caregivers, a skill called incidental bidirectional naming (inc-BiN). This study investigates whether the learning environment affects how well children with autism can be assessed for and taught this critical language skill. The purpose of this study is to investigate if inc-BiN assessment results differ by setting and whether teaching in natural environments produces better generalization than structured teaching.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Katherine Liu on receiving a mini grant from the UNMC Child Health Research Institute (CHRI)!

Katherine is a post-doctoral fellow in the integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

#unmcMMI #mmiResearch #ResearchAchievement #Research #mmiiCASD

Omaha hairstylist opens sensory-friendly salon as autism diagnoses rise The sound of clippers buzzing can make a routine haircut terrifying for some kids, but at one salon, the lights, music and speed are all in the clients’ control.

So excited to see more sensory-friendly services like Joanay Turner's becoming available! Options make appointments such as these less stressful.

www.wowt.com/2026/02/11/o...

#mmiiCASD #autism #AutismSpectrumDisorder #ASD

Webinar advertisement for "Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in Toddlers: a webinar for Caregivers"; UNMC MMI logo and branding; Drs. Zemantic and Courson pictured with their name and title; webinar dates and times; webinar web address; logo for Nebraska Council for Developmental Disabilities.

📢Caregivers! Join our free #MMIwebinar "Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in Toddlers" with Drs. Patricia Zemantic and Chris Courson!

Friday, 5 SEP 2025
12-1p
8-9p

📍ZOOM: go.unmc.edu/mmizoom_asd_...

Info:
patricia.zemantic@unmc.edu

#unmcMMI #mmiiCASD #ASD #Toddlers #MMIevent #MMIeducation

UNMC Silver U Award Highlight; Hanna in circle frame; UNMC MMI logo and branding.

🏆 Congratulations to the Silver U Award Winner for June 2025, Hanna Beck! 🏆

Hanna is a Training/Admin Coordinator in MMI's integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

#unmcMMI #mmiiCASD #silverU #MMIproud

Research Achievement Highlight; UNMC MMI logo and branding; Alice Shillingsburg in circle frame; text: Award, Alice Shillingsburg, PhD, BCBA-D, LP, LBA, Professor, Department Director, Integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD); Investigating the Role of Gestures in Language Learning with Children with Autism; Early gesture use predicts later language milestones in neurotypically developing children and those with autism. It is hypothesized that deficits in initiating with and responding to gestures may impede language learning in the autistic population. Using a randomized between-subjects design we will compare word learning in young children with autism assigned to three experimental conditions with variations of gesture use during word-learning opportunities. Dr. Sarah Frampton is a Co-Investigator on this project.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Alice Shillingsburg on receiving a University of Nebraska Collaboration Initiative Grant from the Nebraska Research Initiative (NRI)!

Dr. Shillingsburg is Professor and Director of #mmiiCASD.

Learn more:
www.unmc.edu/mmi/services...

#unmcMMI #MMIresearch

News Highlight graphic with a photo of the front of the Munroe-Meyer Institute; UNMC MMI logo and branding; web address to news article.

📣📰Check out this UNMC article about the grand opening of #unmcMMI 's new Autism Care for Toddlers Clinic in #Fremont! Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!

Read the article:
go.unmc.edu/mmi_fremont_...

Learn more:
www.unmc.edu/mmi/services...

#MMIoutreach #mmiiCASD #mmiACT

An interest flyer for caregivers supporting people with disabilities; UNMC MMI logo and branding. Text: "Your voice matters! Are you a caregiver supporting someone with a disability? We are seeking caregivers interested in helping us improve our virtual course, Enhancing Care for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities. A limited number of stipends are available. Click the link and complete the survey for more information." Point of contact name and details listed.

If you are a caregiver supporting someone with a disability, we would appreciate your input on our virtual course, Enhancing Care for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities.

Survey:
bit.ly/451OsUC

Mary Halbur, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA
mary.halbur@unmc.edu
402-836-9908

#unmcMMI #mmiiCASD