NCS South Region Spring 2014 Newsletter Spring 2014 | Page 3

S TAFF

SPOTLIGHT

Denita Roberson, BS
Denita graduated from Sam
Houston State University where
she studied Health and Biology
with an emphasis on PreMedicine. Before joining the
NCS, she worked as a
Behavioral Therapist for
individuals with autism and other
developmental disabilities.
Denita is happy to be a part of
research that may provide
information about different types
of childhood diseases. She also
enjoys music and the arts.

April is National Autism Awareness Month

A

s you know, the NCS
is interested in
learning more about
many childhood
conditions, including autism.
Autism is not a single condition
but usually refers to a number of
disorders said to be on an “autism
spectrum.” Autism is estimated to
affect 1 out of every 88 children in
the United States. Boys are four
times more likely to be on the
autism spectrum. Children with
autism often have difficulties in
social situations and with
communication. They also can
repeat certain behaviors over and
over again.
Autism is a complex
neurodevelopmental disorder.
Ongoing research continues to look

for the causes. Although no single
cause has been identified, scientists
have discovered a number of genes
associated with autism. Most of
these genes are not sufficient to
cause autism alone, which makes
experts believe other factors such
as environment and early brain
development play a role.

healthcare providers can make an
individualized plan to address each
child’s specific needs.
A few early symptoms that require
evaluation by an expert include:

 No babbling or pointing by
age one

 No single words by 16
There is no cure for autism,
however, therapies and behavioral
interventions which target specific
symptoms can provide much help.
Significant improvements in
autism symptoms are most often
seen when children get intensive
help early on. Most healthcare
providers agree that the earlier a
child is diagnosed and begins
treatment, the better. Once
diagnosed, children, parents and

months or two word phrases
by age two
 Poor eye contact
Autism is a serious condition
which affects the individual
throughout their lifetime.
Research is needed to continue to
understand and find causes as well
as design and improve treatments
for those who have autism.

Community Outreach
Building relationships with participants and community leaders

Melia J. Wichmann, BA
Melia is a graduate of Texas A&M
University and worked for the
University of Texas MD Anderson
Cancer Center as an
administrative assistant to more
than 40 statistical analysts. She
was responsible for assigning
research studies for statistical
review. She joined the NCS
Vanguard Study through the
Baylor College of Medicine in
Houston, TX in August 2012.
Melia has been married for 3 2
years and has one son.

U PCOMING
E VENTS
April 1: Baldwin County Field
Office Open House
April 3: Davidson County
Incredible Baby Shower at the TSU
Gentry Center
April 11-12: Harris County Mom
Expo

Baker County, FL community member signs up to
receive the NCS South Region newsletter via email.

D

uring the past few months, the South
Region Communications, Community
Outreach and Engagement Team (CCOE)
has been hard at work across the south
region. In January 2014, the CCOE Team participated
in the Healthy Baker Coalition meeting in Baker
County, FL which was followed by our first Data
Collection Mobile Unit Open House. Baker County is
the first location in the south region to get an NCS Data
Collection Mobile Units. Baker County data collectors
led tours of the vans, highlighting all the features that
will make study visits more convenient for families.

April 24: Benton County Data
Collection Mobile Unit Open House For the past several months, we worked with the Paris

Presentation of certificates at Givens Elementary
School in Lamar County, TX.
Independent School District in Lamar County, TX for
the “Be a Healthy Superhero” calendar coloring contest.
The contest was created to celebrate the Lamar County
families currently taking part in the NCS. These NCS
families are making a difference in children’s health,
making them “Healthy Superheroes” to all children.
Hundreds of local children aged Pre-K to 5th grade
turned in drawings of healthy superheroes. Thirty-nine
drawings were chosen for the 2014 calendar. In
February, each school received a gift card for art
supplies, a certificate for the principal, and certificates
for each calendar winner. Copies of the calendars were
given to the local Parent Teacher Associations as
fundraisers in each of the four schools.

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