The Watson Institute : ASERT

The creation of the ASERT Centers was a primary recommendation from the Pennsylvania Autism Task Force. Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle B. Richman announced regional autism centers geared toward improving access to services, education, research and training for families and professionals in the state.

The Watson Institute is involved in the creation of an instruction manual that could be used by communities across the commonwealth to develop inclusive summer camp programs for children with autism. The manual will include best practice approaches that have been used at Watson Institute Summer Programs (WISP) since 2000 and have improved as the field of study has increased knowledge of working with children with autism. The camps focus on enhancing social skills and appropriate behavior for the children in the program.

In addition, Watson has developed a program to support students with autism in college. This new program, College Autism/Asperger matriculate program for Undergraduate Students (CAMPUS), is designed to provide ongoing support during the academic year to individuals with an autism spectrum disorder who have been admitted to college.

The regional autism centers are in eastern, central and western parts of the state. The western region includes: Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of the Pittsburgh Medical Center, The Watson Institute, Dr. Gertrude Barber Center, Inc., University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh and Mercyhurst College.