Key Learning Autism Center

05/20/2026

04/30/2026

Attn: Families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) living in West Virginia.

We're excited to invite you and your child to participate in a research study exploring how stress, puberty, and behavior are connected in children ages 7-13 who have ASD.

Research goals:
- Explore how stress hormones (cortisol) relate to behavior differences by age and gender in children with ASD.
- Examine how stages of puberty may influence cortisol levels and behavior.
- Test whether cortisol affects the relationship between age/puberty and changes in behavior.

What does participation involve?
- Completing a behavior questionnaire.
- Providing your child's cortisol samples (by rubbing inside mouth cheek with cotton swab).
- Sending materials to the WVU research team.

Why does your participation matter?
Your involvement will help us better understand how stress and puberty impact behavior in children with ASD. This knowledge may help guide future supports for healthy development.

Want to participate or learn more?
Reach out to Dr. Lesley Cottrell at 304-293-2914 or [email protected]

This study has been approved by the WVU Institutional Review Board (IRB).

WVU Health Sciences
WV Developmental Disabilities Council

04/14/2026

Thank you for being a part of our community! Donations are always appreciated, but never expected. 🧩✨🌈♾️

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3OHENOBG617KR/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

04/05/2026

04/01/2026

Follow us on our newly created Instagram account as we celebrate autism acceptance month all April long! ♾️🌈✨

03/25/2026

If you’re passionate about helping others and want a career that truly changes lives, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) may be the perfect path for you. ABA professionals make a meaningful difference every day by supporting individuals with autism and other developmental differences to build essential life skills, independence, and confidence.

03/23/2026

RBTs are at the heart of what every ABA clinic does. It's an exciting time to be an RBT in WV!
https://mountaineerautismproject.com/rbt/

03/20/2026

Happy World Behavior Analysis Day to all the awesome BCBAs, BCaBAs and RBTs! You’re changing lives for families every day! ❤️ 🗝️🧩

03/17/2026

Every Monday for the next couple of months, we will be putting a spotlight on the free online training modules we offer for both families and providers. Stay tuned every Monday to learn more about what the training portal has to offer.

This course focuses on Children with Special Health Care Needs and provides helpful information on care coordination, advocacy, accessing services, and supporting long term health and development. It is a valuable resource for families and professionals who work with children who require additional medical or developmental support.

Take the training here: https://cedwvutraining.org/online-learning/cshcn/

See all courses here: https://cedwvutraining.org/ced-online-learning/impact-wv/

COMING SOON: A Ma*****na in Pregnancy learning module will be released within the next month!

12/16/2025

Consider participating in this study, “Influence of a Family System on AAC Use in Individuals with Non-Verbal, Minimally Verbal, and Late Speaking Autism Spectrum Disorder,” seeking input from parents of children ages 10–22 who have speech deficits and use a speech aid.

This research is being conducted by Evan Satlin, a PsyD intern from California Northstate University, under the supervision of Dr. Haleigh Scott.

Participate at the link below ⬇️