The Eli & Edythe L. Broad Asperger Center

Publications from Major Universities Coordinating with the Eli & Edythe L. Broad Asperger Center

Beginning in June, 2007 the Eli and Edythe L. Broad Foundation is establishing, within the Koegel Autism Center at the University of California at Santa Barbara, a new center of excellence for Asperger Research. The purpose and function of the Center is to develop and refine the Koegel’s research-based model for intervention and support for children and Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome. The Center is conducting research and intervention with the purpose of developing a model that can be disseminated nationally, and is moving toward the long-term goal of becoming the largest and most comprehensive clearinghouse in the world on intervention for Asperger’s Syndrome.

Examples of specific projects within the new Center include:

The development of research-based, state of the art, scientifically-sound intervention procedures for working with adults and children with Asperger's Syndrome.
The implementation of these intervention procedures with individuals with Asperger's Syndrome, locally, nationally, and internationally to develop a model for intervention and support with the end goal of having individuals with Asperger's Syndrome function without symptoms so that they may gain meaningful employment and satisfying social lives.

The development of a model for successful higher education for individuals with Asperger Syndrome so they might graduate with major university degrees.

What is Asperger Syndrome?

Individuals with AS May Have Some of the Following Characteristics:

* May be very bright and intelligent

*Usually have good language and cognitive skills

*May be socially awkward: Have limited eye contact and lack an understanding of social rules

* May seem aloof and uninterested in others

*May appear to show a lack of empathy

*Usually have an intense interest in a single object or topic

* May want to socialize but don’t know how