Center for Autism Research at CHOP

12/07/2025

Spending Sundays with our friends and families in the community is always fun 🤩. Stop by and say “hello” if you’re visiting the Franklin Institute, today!

12/06/2025

Good morning Family and friends. We want to say a special “Thank you” to Captain Rodriguez and the Philadelphia Police for inviting us to their annual “Breakfast with Santa” event

12/04/2025

Step into a special event created to make science accessible, comfortable, and fun for guests with sensory differences. Our caring staff and volunteers will be on hand to assist, answer questions, and help make your visit meaningful.

Featured Programming Includes ⬇️
👉 Early museum entry — doors open 30 minutes early for a calmer start.
👉 Sensory adjustments in our newest exhibits, Wondrous Space and Body Odyssey, to create a more inclusive experience.
👉 Two sensory-friendly showings of The Sky Tonight.
👉 A designated quiet, cool-down space.
👉 Opportunities to connect with representatives from the AJ Drexel Autism Institute, ABA Centers of Pennsylvania, The Center for Autism Research at CHOP The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, and our accessibility partner TechOwl Tech OWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives.

🎟️ To learn more or secure free accessibility tickets, please visit our website: https://fi.edu/en/events-calendar/20251207/sensoryfriendlyday

Space is limited.

11/28/2025

Join us for a free virtual webinar, “Navigating Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits for Special Needs Families,” where a Public Affairs Specialist from the Social Security Administration will walk you through the SSI application process and answer common questions.

📅 Thursday, December 18th, 2025
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Registration is required. Please use the registration link below:

https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/centerforautismresearch/navigating-ssi-benefits

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We hope you’ll join us and get the tools you need to navigate the SSI journey with confidence!

11/28/2025

🎄✨ Christmas Holiday Pop-Up at Glencairn Museum! ✨🎄

Join Glencairn Museum on Saturday, December 20th from 10 AM – 1 PM for a fun, festive family event hosted in collaboration with the Center for Autism Research at CHOP!

Bring your loved ones to enjoy:
🎁 Holiday activities
🏛️ Access to the first-floor exhibition
📝 A chance to share feedback to help improve accessibility and programming
📸 Family photos by Aaron Stallworth (available for purchase)

This is a great opportunity to connect, celebrate, and support more inclusive experiences for all families.

📍 Glencairn Museum
1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, PA 19006

🔗 Register here:

https://bit.ly/GlencairnChristmasPopUp

Hope to see you there!

11/24/2025

Our Social Coordination study team is using cool computer technology to track things like facial expressions, head nods, and even hand gestures during conversations – and we need your help! We’re looking for typically developing participants between 8-17 years old to partner with us, along with 12-17 year old individuals with a professional autism diagnosis.

Meet our team and learn how you can help here: https://www.research.chop.edu/social-coordination

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8PfQYSIORk

Researchers and staff in our Center for Autism Research (CAR) call the unique lab everything from "interesting" to "interdisciplinary" to uplifting. In this ...

11/22/2025

CAR is happy to be here, supporting Kamp for Kidz “Owls for Autism” annual event😊

11/20/2025

Parents and caregivers are invited to visit Tech OWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives from December 1–18 to pick out a free switch-adapted toy for a child with disabilities.

These battery-operated toys are modified so they can be activated with a large, accessible switch, making play more inclusive and fun for everyone.

✨ Choose from two adapted toys (each comes with two 3D-printed switches):
🐉 Animated Plush Dragon
🦉 Animated Plush Owl
📍 TechOWL Community Space Hours:

• Monday: 10 am – 2 pm*
• Tuesday: 1 pm – 5 pm
• Wednesday: 10 am – 2 pm
• Thursday: 1 pm – 5 pm
*Extended hours Monday, Dec. 8: 5 pm – 7 pm

If these times don’t work, email TechOWL to schedule an appointment.

🔗 Visit the webpage for more details about the toy drive and other adapted toy holiday events! https://techowlpa.org/adapted-toy-drive/

11/18/2025

Join us for a VIRTUAL Next Steps for Professionals and Families workshop on Wednesday, December 10th from 12-3pm.

This workshop is geared towards professionals who work with toddlers through elementary school-aged children who are diagnosed with autism. Parents/caregivers are also welcome to attend.

Topics include an overview of autism, how diagnoses are made, available interventions, tips and resources for supporting families, current research and a question and answer panel. Presenters will include specialists in speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, social work and psychology.

Cost: $10

Register here: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/centerforautismresearch/next-steps-for-professionals-and-families-dec10

11/02/2025

It’s a beautiful day here at the Philly friends “Friendship walk” 2026. If you’re in the Radnor area, stop by.

Go Birds!

10/30/2025

Play Dungeons & Dragons at Tech OWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives for FREE! Join them for an accessible Dungeons and Dragons game with Dungeon Master Lucy Pickering. Adventure awaits...

Wednesday, November 12th and Wednesday, December 3rd from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

The TechOWL Community Space is at 1392 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, next to Insomnia Cookies. They have a barrier free entrance and accessible bathrooms.

Register today: https://forms.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=74FucSK1c0SOMRC9Asz25bMssRIhCEpKgA4dFlE6WcRURDgxU0xRRjdNNEZDWTY1Q0ZZQzM5TkZYNS4u