Social Connections & Treatment Lab - SCTL

10/30/2025

Seeking Autistic Adults to Take Part in a Research Study!

We are looking for autistic adults (18-30 years old) to help us understand their experiences participating in social groups. Our hope is for participants to learn helpful skills, enjoy social group activities, and potentially form friendships with other group members.

Call/text 215-571-3219, email SCTL@drexel.edu or scan the QR code on the flyer to learn more.

Social Connections & Treatment Lab - SCTL Autism Life Course Outcomes Research Philadelphia Autism Project

10/28/2025

Calling Autistic Adults to Join Community Council on Participatory Study on Social Loneliness in Autistic Young Adults!

The Social Experiences of Loneliness of Autistic Adults (SELA) Project at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute is forming a Community Council of autistic adults (ages 18–35) to help guide a 5-year study on loneliness and social connection.

Community Council members will partner with researchers to make sure that all parts of the research reflect the experiences, priorities, and needs of the autistic community. Community Council members will have a say in many important decisions on the project.

No research experience needed — your lived experience is your expertise. Council members will help shape research materials, outreach, and how findings are shared.

We are currently looking for autistic adults who live in the United States. Participation is remote (using Zoom, phone/text, and email), so you can participate from anywhere in the US.

Community Council members are paid for their time. We encourage autistic adults with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Please feel free to share this post/flyer with anyone who may be interested.

Interested? Email Kyle Chvasta at kc3673@drexel.edu to learn more and apply.

AJ Drexel Autism Institute Autism Life Course Outcomes Research

10/06/2025

SCTL Director Matt Lerner and Dr. Elliot Keenan were featured in an article in the Guardian explaining what Leucovorin is.

This week the FDA approved the generic drug as a treatment for autism – a move that shocked health experts

10/06/2025

SCTL Director Matt Lerner and Dena Gassner recently participated in a panel with colleagues at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute discussing recent questions in the public about autism.

If you missed the panel or want to watch it again, the recording is freely available to watch on YouTube. You can find the link below.

Join experts from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute as we address urgent questions raised by recent national discussions on autism. Topics include Tylenol, v...

10/06/2025

SCTL Director Matt Lerner was recently featured in a special report on autism on NewsNation. You can find the clip below.

During the NewsNation special report “Born Lucky,” host of On Balance Leland Vittert explained there is a reckoning right now about parents and the role, specifically, fathers play.

09/27/2025

Please join members of our team and colleagues at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute talking about navigating current autism science.

Join experts from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute on Monday, September 29th at 5:00pm EST for an important conversation as they address urgent questions raised by recent national discussions on autism. Topics include Tylenol, vaccines, and Leucovorin, plus a Q&A. Learn why rigorous science is critical now more than ever—and how you can help support it.

💥: Virtual Panel on Autism: Science and Facts in a Time of Confusion
🗓️: Monday, September 29, 2025
⏰: 5:00–6:00 PM (ET)
Register Here: https://bit.ly/46rmZg1

Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University Drexel University Philadelphia Autism Project Social Connections & Treatment Lab - SCTL Autism Life Course Outcomes Research

09/27/2025

We wanted to share a really cool study our partners at the Social Connections & Treatment Lab - SCTL at Drexel University are doing:

The Social Connections and Treatment Lab (SCTL) at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute (AJDAI – Life Course Outcomes [LCO]) is recruiting autistic adults (ages 21-30 years old) who have graduated from a high school or equivalent program to take part in a research study. The goal of this study is to understand the experiences of autistic adults participating in social groups.


If interested, prospective participants will:

Fill out this intake form to assess initial eligibility:

Individual is within the required age range [18-30 years old] and has graduated from a high school or equivalent program

Individual has a confirmed diagnosis of autism

Individual can travel to the AJDAI at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA [3020 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104] for weekly group sessions

Complete an online questionnaire about autism traits and experiences

[If eligible]: Come in person to meet with research staff to complete an autism diagnosis interview and an IQ test to confirm their eligibility (IQ scores must be ≥ 70 to be eligible to participate in this study).



If eligibility is confirmed participants will:

Be randomized (by chance) to one of two social groups and attend weekly 90-minute sessions for 10 weeks in person at AJDAI at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.

Complete questionnaires and interviews across multiple timepoints throughout participation in this study.

OPTIONAL: Participants may choose to elect somebody else close to them (such as a caregiver, family member, friend, or romantic partner) to complete additional measures about the participant during 3 timepoints.



Participants will be compensated at the end of the study period for their time completing study procedures.

If there are any questions or concerns, interested participants can reach out to SCTL@drexel.edu or via phone or text: 215-571-3219.

09/19/2025

Seeking autistic adults to take part in a research study!

We are looking for adults (18–30-year-olds diagnosed with autism who have graduated from high school or an equivalent program) to help us understand the experiences of autistic adults participating in social groups. Our hope is that participants learn helpful skills, enjoy social group activities, and potentially form friendships with other group members!

Participants will: complete questionnaires and tests to confirm they are eligible, be randomized to one of two social groups, attend 90-minute social group sessions for 10-weeks at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute in Philadelphia, PA, and complete measures across different timepoints during the social group period. Participants may also elect a close friend or family member to complete questionnaires as part of this study. Participants will be compensated at the end of the study period for their time completing study procedures.

Interested adults can call or text 215-571-3219 or email SCTL@drexel.edu to learn more information about the study! You can also scan the QR code Interested adults can call or text 215-571-3219 or email SCTL@drexel.edu to learn more information about the study! You can also scan the QR code or go to the following web page click to express interest and see if you might be eligible to participate: https://bit.ly/AJDAI-SocialGroups

09/10/2025

🚨 LAST DAY TO REGISTER!

Clinicians—boost your confidence and competence in supporting autistic and IDD youth with anxiety or OCD through SPIRIT-ID/A, our evidence-based, expert-led training program.

🗓 Next cohort starts: Tuesday, Sept 16, 2025
🎓 Earn up to 11 CE credits (APA, PA SBSW, IACET)
💻 Fully online | 7 sessions (live + on-demand)
🧠 Specialized focus on youth, autism, OCD, and anxiety
👩‍🏫 Taught by clinical, research, and lived-experience experts
💵 Cost: $875 (+$35 for CEs) | Group rates & Drexel tuition remission available
🔗 Register by Sept 10: bit.ly/SPIRIT-IDA-Registration
Questions? Email: sctl@drexel.edu

09/08/2025

🚨 Enrollment Closing Soon!

Clinicians—boost your confidence and competence in supporting autistic and IDD youth with anxiety or OCD through SPIRIT-ID/A, our evidence-based, expert-led training program.
🗓 Next cohort starts: Tuesday, Sept 16, 2025
🎓 Earn up to 11 CE credits (APA, PA SBSW, IACET)
💻 Fully online | 7 sessions (live + on-demand)
🧠 Specialized focus on youth, autism, OCD, and anxiety
👩‍🏫 Taught by clinical, research, and lived-experience experts
💵 Cost: $875 (+$35 for CEs) | Group rates & Drexel tuition remission available
🔗 Register by Sept 10: bit.ly/SPIRIT-IDA-Registration
Questions? Email: sctl@drexel.edu

09/04/2025

🚨 Enrollment Still Open!

Clinicians—boost your confidence and competence in supporting autistic and IDD youth with anxiety or OCD through SPIRIT-ID/A, our evidence-based, expert-led training program.

🗓 Next cohort starts: Tuesday, Sept 16, 2025
🎓 Earn up to 11 CE credits (APA, PA SBSW, IACET)
💻 Fully online | 7 sessions (live + on-demand)
🧠 Specialized focus on youth, autism, OCD, and anxiety
👩‍🏫 Taught by clinical, research, and lived-experience experts
💵 Cost: $875 (+$35 for CEs) | Group rates & Drexel tuition remission available

🔗 Register by Sept 10: bit.ly/SPIRIT-IDA-Registration
Questions? Email: sctl@drexel.edu