IJR Success Stories
Tackling the big problems of Autism
Ed Cook, MD, Director, Academic Center of Excellence in Autism, IJR
“The advantage of being at IJR is being able to bring a diverse set of talents together to tackle the big problems.”
The Autism Center of Excellence, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and led by Dr. Edwin Cook, is focusing some of the best minds in child mental health on unraveling the mystery of why children with autism respond so differently to the same treatments. For many autistic children, proper medications and behavioral interventions can make a world of difference. But for about one-third of autistic children, success remains stubbornly elusive. Read More
It taught me you just don’t quit ...
Jaleel Abdul-Adil, PhD, Associate Director, School Age Program IJR
What excites Jaleel Abdul-Adil about IJR beyond the intellectual challenge is that it brings all the power of proven interventions and innovations to families like that of a young boy and his aunt who showed up at IJR. They were desperate for help and had few options left. The boy, abused as a child, had bounced among foster homes and eventually landed with his aunt. He set fires, he pulled knives, he wanted to run away—and he was only seven.
IJR was committed to finding a strategy for this boy and his family. Abdul-Adil and his colleagues combined family therapy with individual therapy. They decreased the number of medications he was taking and used a more up-to-date and tailored regime. “It taught me the importance of an ecological approach—one that takes into account the home, family, and school. It’s the whole story that matters.” For Abdul-Adil, his work at IJR is more than just compassion, it’s about accountability. “I’m a participant provider. I have my own kids and I know how tough it is. I am part of the community I serve, part of the culture of the neighborhood. My reputation follows me.” Read More