Children’s Specialized Hospital Addresses Adverse Childhood Experiences for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Newark Thanks to Grant from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey [Tap Into New Providence]

By Rachel Lambert, Aug 18, 2019 for Tap into Providence

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ - The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey recently awarded Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation $90,000 in support of a new program at Children’s Specialized Hospital. The goal of this project, which is a partnership between Children’s Specialized Hospital and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, is to identify and support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Newark area who have faced adverse childhood experiences. 

“Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to numerable poor health outcomes, including early mortality,” explained Dr. Malia Beckwith, Section Chief of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics at Children’s Specialized Hospital, as a co-clinical lead of the program. “Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at increased risk for ACEs; but there has been little work to date to address ACEs in this population. Through the support of the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, we will be initiating an exciting new process at our Newark location to screen and identify children with ASD and their families who are experiencing ACEs, and to connect these families to appropriate community supports.  Through this action, we aim to improve overall health for our children with ASD.”

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