Dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases throughout the lifespan. Waisman Center University of Wisconsin-Madison Celebrating 40 Years,

What is a developmental disability? Onset is prenatal or early in life Affects a child’s development in multiple and significant ways Lasts indefinitely Examples… Autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, fragile X syndrome, epilepsy, other types of intellectual disability

CDC: 1 in 6 kids have a developmental disability 17% increase, data collected from 120,000 kids ages years old over an 11-year period increase due to growth in cases of autism, ADHD, and “other developmental delays”

What is a neurodegenerative disease? Onset can be at any point in life Affects a person’s life in multiple and significant ways Lasts indefinitely and often is the cause of death Examples… Parkinson’s Disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury

The Waisman Center’s Overarching Goal – to Discover the 3 “Cs” C auses genetic, environmental C onsequences for the individual, the family, and society C ures and treatments

Precursor to the Waisman Center – 1963 UW Orthopedic Children’s Hospital Addition built in 1963 for the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Memorial Laboratories, funded by a grant from Kennedy Foundation Dr. Harry Waisman, Director Senator Ted Kennedy visits Madison for the lab’s opening November 1963.

Dedication of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Laboratories November 20, 1963

Research Director at the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Memorial Laboratories Pediatrician, biochemist, pioneer in research on childhood disability Advocated for testing all newborns for genetic diseases Role model for us today Who was Dr. Harry Waisman?

A Presidential Panel recommended creation of multidisciplinary centers focused on intellectual disabilities at major universities Construction of the Waisman Center Waisman Center opens in 1973

15 Centers in the United States The Waisman Center is the only center in the U.S. that houses both a multidisciplinary research center and a clinical, service, and outreach center Both are needed to translate research results into treatments = translational research

55 faculty members from 27 UW-Madison departments division of the Graduate School 600 faculty, staff, students payrolled 253,585 square foot building complex Waisman Center Facts 6,700 patient visits each year ~ 90 grants from the NIH Multiple “centers within the Center”

The Waisman Center’s Four Major Activities Service Outreach Research Training

Research on Child Development Waisman Center research on early learning – cognitive development, social development, language development, sensory development

Waisman Center Stem Cell Research Laboratories We have discovered how stem cells can be turned into neurons and other brain cells. We are working to discover how stem cells can be specialized to treat diseases of the brain, the eye, and the spinal cord. Early stage retinal cells

Waisman Biomanufacturing Production of pharmaceuticals for early stage human clinical trials

Waisman Center Brain Imaging Facility Expanding our knowledge about brain development and function using MRI and PET scanning. Brain imaging studies have focused on: - autism - Down syndrome - Alzheimer’s - PTSD

Center for Investigating Healthy Minds Research on attention, mindfulness, and other healthy qualities of the mind Director, Richard Davidson, PhD Co-sponsored the recent Dalai Lama visit

Training Future Researchers and Clinicians The Waisman Center has trained more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students since 1973.

Waisman Early Childhood Program 85 children, ages 1-5 1/3 of enrollment are children with disabilities National leader in “inclusive” early childhood education More than 1,900 children have participated in the WECP since 1979

Waisman Center Clinics Autism & Developmental Disabilities Biochemical Genetics Bone Dysplasia Communication Aids and Systems Cerebral Palsy Down syndrome Feeding Medical Genetics Neuromotor Developmental Newborn Follow-up Pediatric Brain Care Spasticiy and Movement Disorders

Harvey A. Stevens International Collection of Art 150 artworks in the collection, all by people with developmental disabilities Sponsored by the Friends of the Waisman Center Featured as a six-month exhibit at the Dane County Regional Airport

Waisman Center Day with the Experts Autism – January Down Syndrome – April Cochlear Implants – June Grandparents’ Network – November

Grandparents’ Network Provide support to grandparents and their families Help grandparents send positive messages about disabilities to their communities to create a better climate for family members Facilitate direct “grandparent-to- grandparent” communication Annual Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Grandparents’ Network – November 2, 2013 waisman.wisc.edu/grandparents

Waisman Center Children’s Theatre community outreach series art and environmental themes 18 performances during series more than 100,000 people have attended since 1986 Funding for series from Downtown Madison Rotary, The Kids Fund, and Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission

Waisman Center 40 th Anniversary Guest speaker: David Maraniss Pulitzer prize-winning reporter and author October 17, 2013 Celebratory Dinner at the Monona Terrace Special Guest: Rebecca Blank, PhD UW-Madison Chancellor

Thank you!