Julia Burgess, M.B.A.
Director, Corporate Communications
781.437.1348
jburgess@mayinstitute.org

Susan Lauermann, APR
Director, Public Relations
781.437.1257
slauermann@mayinstitute.org

May in the News

A list of recent May Institute news from print, television, radio, and the internet.

Please note: links to online articles may no longer be active or may require registration on the site. You may contact the outlet directly for further assistance.

Help Studends with Special Needs Avoid Bullying [The Herald News, 07/30/10]
An article by May clinician Shannon Kay, Ph.D., BCBA-D more

Communication Skills Aid in Expressing Pain [The Republican, 07/07/10]
An article by May clinician Teka J. Harris more

Ride on…Todson signs on as corporate sponsor for May Institute’s Rodman Ride For Kids team [PR Workzone, 06/30/10]
Todson has matched their 2009 contribution of $5000 once again for the 2010 Rodman Ride and has also donated a bike and Red Sox tickets for the Ride’s raffle. more

May Institute Receives Excellence Award at Nonprofit Awareness Day [massnonprofit.org, 06/14/10]
May Institute was honored for the impact of its National Standards Report that guides tens of thousands of families impacted by autism as well as a traveling exhibit to show the voices and faces of autism. more

Courageous Corner [The Boston Globe, 06/08/10]
“Zack is the nicest kid who ever went to this school, hands down,’’ said co-class president Emma Sagan, weeping after watching Zack recently receive the school’s Director’s Cup award for his courage. “Before the injury. After the injury. You ask any kid and that’s what they’ll say.’’ more

Bullies Target Special Needs Students [The Republican, 06/02/10]
Dr. Shannon Kay's most recent article focuses on preventing bullying in schools more

May Institute, Dana Farber Invite Donors to Bone Marrow Drive [The Enterprise, 05/11/10]
The May Institute is hoping members of the community can pitch in, to help one of their own in his fight with cancer. more

Healthcare Review Highlights May Institute Autism Awareness Campaign [Healthcare Review, 04/30/10]
May Institute and LoJack Corporation team up to launch a powerful public awareness campaign during April – National Autism Awareness Month – on the MBTA that features photos and stories of children with autism as well as important information about the disorder. more

Local Techs Lending a Hand [Mass High Tech, 04/28/10]
This year’s "What Does Autism Look Like?" campaign includes more than 1,000 informational pieces on the MBTA system, including 125 platform posters in dozens of subway and commuter rail stations, and 900 educational car cards displayed in subway cars and buses. more

Report from Salute to Safety [WTVM, 04/17/10]
Southeast Regional Autism Center Community Outreach Specialist Amy Bontrager is interviewed during the event. more

Safe Kids Columbus: A Salute to Safety [WTVM, 04/14/10]
Southeast Regional Autism Center Community Outreach Specialist Amy Bontrager previews the upcoming Salute to Safety. more

Autism Awareness: Is proximity a factor in diagnosing autism? [Boston.com, 04/12/10]
Maybe you've seen the posters hanging in T and commuter rail stations -- photos and stories of children with autism, and a question: "What does autism look like?" more

May Institute, LoJack Team up to Promote Autism Awareness [massnonprofit.org, 04/08/10]
May Institute in Randolph, which provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services, has launched a statewide autism awareness campaign that aims to counter widely held stereotypes about the disorder. more

Weymouth Teen Fighting Brain Tumor Finds Time to Help Others [The Boston Globe, 04/04/10]
At the May Center, Declan has exceeded goals. In addition to academics, he also sees speech, occupational, and physical therapists nearly every day. His social skills are improving. Every Friday, he volunteers at a soup kitchen in Brockton. more

Ruling that MMR vaccines don’t cause autism cements research [New England Psychologist, 04/01/10]
A March 12 ruling by special masters of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims favored the many controlled studies around the world finding no casual relationship between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccination (MMR) and the autism found in one out of 110 children in the United States. more

SERAC presents 2nd Annual Salute to Safety [Muscogee Moms, 04/01/10]
First responders will be present to teach families and children with special needs how to stay safe and respond in the event of an emergency. Children will be able to explore the wonders of emergency vehicles – inside and out! more

Autism awareness campaign planned [Patriot Ledger, 04/01/10]
The May Institute, a Randolph-based nonprofit organization that serves people with autism, is launching a public awareness campaign this month to draw attention to the issue of autism in children. more

Safety First for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders [Exceptional Parent, 04/01/10]
All parents worry about their children’s health, happiness, and general well-being, but parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities must often make extraordinary efforts to ensure that their sons and daughters are safe both inside and outside the home. more

The Challenge of Preparing for the Future [Connecticut Parent Magazine, 04/01/10]
The May Institute in Massachusetts, one of the country’s largest concentrations of clinicians with expertise in autism, became the final piece to completing Eli’s educational puzzle. more

No April Fools - Tomorrow Begins Autism Awareness Month [EmaxHealth, 03/31/10]
The May Institute, a national nonprofit organization that serves people with autism and other special needs is bringing a powerful public awareness campaign to millions of commuters in Massachusetts. more

Prevent Brain Injury [Fall River Herald Parents & Kids, 03/26/10]
Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability among America’s youth. It is most often the result of motor vehicle or bicycle accidents, falls, sporting accidents, violence, or abuse. more

Puzzling Through - New Ways to Teach Children with Autism [Boston Parents Paper, 03/01/10]
Sixty or more years ago, if you had a child with autism, you’d likely be told to put him in a mental health institution and move on with your life. Today, there are many treatment options. more

Lauren Solotar, Chief Psychologist for May Institute, Offers Strategies for Parents and Teens to Combat Cyber Bullying [The Republican, 02/03/10]
What can teens do to keep from becoming victims of cyber bullying? more

Corporate Training Gets Lesson from Online Education Tech [Mass High Tech, 01/06/10]
Distance learning has broken down many barriers to obtaining a college degree, allowing almost anyone in the world to take a course and pass it, regardless of where they live or what their day job may be. more

Strategy Can Help Autistic, Special Needs People with Tasks [The Republican, 01/06/10]
Motivation and compliance are challenges that parents and teachers of children with autism and other special needs must deal with daily. more

May Institute Listed as One of Massachusett's Largest Nonprofit Organizations [Boston Business Journal, 12/11/09]
May Institute is ranked as one the area's largest nonprofit organizations by the Boston Business Journal. more

Meeting the Special Needs of Children with Autism and Their Typically Developing Siblings [Exceptional Parent, 12/01/09]
When Katelynn was 21 months old, she was diagnosed with autism; a few months later, the family’s youngest child was born. Meeting the special needs of all their children became a daily challenge for these young parents. more

Towne House Clubhouse Members Reconnect Over Pre-holiday Meal [The Herald News, 11/26/09]
“You can see a lot of smiling faces, people having a good time,” said Mayor-elect Will Flanagan, who gave helpings of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and peas alongside other local officials and volunteers. more

Community Voices: Thankful for Chance to Keep Serving Community [The Herald News, 11/13/09]
As a Clubhouse model program that has supported the recovery of adults with a history of mental illness in Fall River for the past 25 years, it is especially rewarding to know that so many of our fellow citizens, legislators and Clubhouse members care enough to take the time to support our cause. more

Correctly Diagnosing Autism More Important Than Ever [Provider Magazine, 11/01/09]
The increase in the number of children with autism spectrum disorders is cause for profound concern and a renewed call to action. more

Patrick's Budget-balancing Plan Won't Touch Local Aid [The Herald News, 10/29/09]
Patrick’s cuts appeared to spare the Towne House Clubhouse in Fall River and other rehabilitation and recovery centers. more

Towne House Rehab Program Faces Threat of Closure [The Herald News, 10/28/09]
Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed cuts at the Department of Mental Health, among other places, to help close a budget deficit of up to $600 million. more

Clinging to an Unraveling Safety Net [The Boston Globe, 10/22/09]
Individuals with autism and brain injuries, served by May Institute programs, were among those that visited the governor's office in response to a possible human services budget cut of $40 million to $60 million. more

The Team Approach to Helping Children with Autism Succeed at Home, School, and in the Community [Exceptional Parent, 10/01/09]
For the estimated 20,000 active duty military families who are raising children with autism or other developmental disabilities, the challenges of this responsibility are compounded by frequent relocations that necessitate readjusting to new homes, schools, and communities, and building new relationships with different therapists and teachers. more

Through the Trees: Twin Teenagers Learn to Manage Symptoms of Autism with Outdoor Activities [Advance for Physical Therapists & PT Assistants, 09/21/09]
Will and Jeff are proof that engaging in regular activity may offer a variety of benefits for individuals with autism. more

“Cars for Classrooms” Charitable Campaign for Autism [Muscogee Moms, 08/03/09]
What does an innovative, award-winning toy maker, nationally recognized May Institute, and the National Autism Center all have in common? more

May I Ask? Column Offers Tips for Managing Tough Transitions [Fall River Parents and Kids, 08/19/09]
The article offers advice for helping girls with developmental disabilities deal with puberty. more

Cape Couple Develop Practical Application for iPhone [Cape Cod Times, 08/18/09]
May Institute's Chief Clinical Officer Dennis Russo, Ph.D., ABPP, ABBP, discusses the use of technology in teaching children with autism. more

Asperger Syndrome and the Difficulties of Diagnosing and Treating Related Conditions [Exceptional Parent, August 2009]
Not all children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome are as fortunate as Jose. Misdiagnosis is common. So is a lack of understanding that Asperger syndrome is often accompanied by other disorders. more

The Story of the May Institute Keeps Adding Happy Endings [The OARACLE, July 2009]
May Institute featured in Organization for Autism Research Monthly E-Newsletter. more

Dreams Come True for Students at Randolph's May Center [The Patriot Ledger, 06/16/09]
May Center for Child Development in Randolph holds its first prom. more

May Institute's Alan Harchik Describes Treatment Protocols Available to Help Children with Traumatic Brain Injuries [The Republican, 06/10/09]
Educators and clinicians need to adapt their use of analysis procedures for children with brain injury. more

Human Capital: People on the Move [Boston Business Journal, 05/27/09]
Ralph Sperry is named Senior Vice President of Consultation Services at May Institute. more

Living with Autism [The Benning Report and the Pentagon Channel, 05/25/09]
May Institute Southeast Regional Autism Center featured in Fort Benning's news program. more

Sibling Jealousy [The Herald News, 05/21/09]
Sibling jealousy is a difficult reality for many families, and can be more complicated for the brothers and sisters of children with special needs. more

Protesters at State House Voice Opposition to Possible Budget Cuts [The Patriot Ledger, 05/20/09]
Were the cuts to go through, an estimated 11,000 adults would lose family support and respite services, according to the ARC of Massachusetts, an advocacy group. Another 11,000 would lose either day habilitation or employment services. more

Economic Woes Can Lead to Anxiety an Family Problems [West Roxbury Transcript, 04/29/09]
May Institute's Lauren Solotar answers a question about how the bad economy can lead to poor health. more

Somerville's Anna Yu is the New Face of Autism in MBTA, May Institute Campaign [Somerville Journal, 04/19/09]
Anna Yu, student at the May Center for Child Development in Randolph, is one of the faces of the public autism awareness campaign. more

Photos and Stories Exhibited Throughout MBTA [Autism Society of America, 04/09/09]
Autism Society of America helps get the word out about the May Institute MBTA campaign. more

May Institute Student Anna Yu Featured on the Cover of Autism Spectrum Quarterly Magazine [Autism Spectrum Quarterly, 04/08/09]
Seven-year-old Anna Yu of Somerville, Massachusetts is a happy little girl who loves music class, musical books, painting, and Play-Doh. more

May Institute Shows the Faces of Autism to Boost Awareness [PRWeek, 04/02/09]
May Institute autism public awareness campaign featured in PRWeek magazine. more

Building Life Skills for Children with Asperger Syndrome [Exceptional Parent Magazine, 04/20/09]
How ABA training and support from the Southeast Regional Autism Center helped one family to better understand their son. By Eileen G. Pollack, MA and Dennis C. Russo, Ph.D., ABPP. more

Groups Launch Autism Campaign [Metro, 03/26/09]
The MBTA launched an autism awareness campaign Thursday, in collaboration with the May Institute, United Benefit Services and the National Autism Center. more

BOSS Volunteers Join Families at Little Creek Farm. [The Bayonet, 03/25/09]
Nearly 30 Soldiers with the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers Program volunteered to help children and families for a day of horseback riding and a cookout at Little Creek Farm in Upatoi, Ga. more

Working With Students With Autism [Education Week, 01/28/09]
Marcie W. Handler, Ph.D., director of home and school consultation at May Institute, was one of three national experts who participated in a live chat entitled, “Working with Students with Autism.” more

New Pediatric Center Opening in San Jose [KLIV 1590 Silicon Valley News, 01/25/09]
Children with disabilities in San Jose will soon have a new location to go to the doctor. A new pediatric center is set to open at the Blossom Hill Medical Center. more

Collaboration, Donation Help Set Up Hub for Autism Services [Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal, 01/16/09]
With autism cases at an all-time high, the Pediatric Specialty Center in San Jose opened its doors this week to address the need for diagnosis and treatment services. more

Children Must Be First and Foremost [San Jose Mercury News, 12/31/08]
From developmental disabilities services to school readiness, to mental health and general wellness programs, First 5 has expanded our state's capacity to serve young, at-risk children. more

Advocates Rally for Mental Health Funding [The Herald News, 12/09/08]
Advocates for mental health organizations rallied in Boston on Tuesday to preserve state money for Townhouse Clubhouse and other facilities across the state that serve the mentally ill. more

Strategies to Help Children with Special Needs Enjoy Successful Community Outings [Exceptional Parent Magazine, 12/01/08]
With careful planning and a lot of patience and love, community outings can be enjoyable for you and your child. more

Towne House Holds Early Bird Special [The Herald News, 11/26/08]
It was the day before Thanksgiving, but the smell of roasted turkey and gravy was already in the air at May Institute’s Towne House Clubhouse annual pre-Turkey Day dinner. more

An Advocate's Perspective—The Autism Puzzle: Where Do We Go From Here? [The Oaracle, 10/01/08]
Unfortunately, the prevalence of methods that have no evidence of effectiveness is widespread. You see it everyday in advertisements, infomercials, and treatment options offered to parents of children with autism. more

May Center To Close Chatham School Ahead Of Schedule [Cape Cod Chronicle, 09/11/08]
About a half dozen students remain at the Seaview Street campus, which was the nation’s first school for autistic children and adolescents when it was founded more than 50 years ago. more

Choosing Effective Treatments for Children with Autism [Exceptional Parent, September 2008]
After their son, Cameron, was diagnosed with autism at age three and a half, Army Master Sergeant Larry Carter and his wife, Christal, made it their mission to learn all they could about the best treatments for a child with autism. more

Champions in Health Care [Boston Business Journal, 08/15/08]
May Institute President and CEO Walter P. Christian, Ph.D., ABPP, is included among the most innovative minds in Massachusetts medicine by the Boston Business Journal. more

Cars for Classrooms – Help Automoblox Donate Toy Cars to Children with Autism [Examiner.com, 08/02/08]
For every Automoblox car purchased at the Automoblox online store, Automoblox will donate one of their toy cars to a school that provides specialized educational services to children with autism. more

The Back to School Nudge [Spectrum Magazine, Aug/Sept 2008]
Getting you started on that search for the right school. more

Faces and Voices of Autism on Display in D.C. [Autism Society of America, 04/22/08]
The National Autism Center and May Institute in Randolph, Mass., in collaboration with local photographer Andrew Child, is displaying a photo exhibit in D.C. at the U.S. Senate Russell Office Building this week, through Friday, April 25. more

Autism's Challenges: Combating Stress on the Home Front [Exceptional Parent, April 2008]
For military families, the difficulties presented by these challenges are often exacerbated by the lack of proximity to family and support networks, frequent relocation, school and training schedules, and more. Managing the stress that accompanies these challenges is critical to a family’s long-term health and well-being. more

Lawrence Schools Use Program Rewarding Good Behavior [Eagle Tribune, 03/16/08]
Dr. Robert Putnam, senior vice president of school consultation at the May Institute, said administrators from Lawrence schools approached them to implement the program in the district. “Schools across the country are under increased pressure to improve academic performance while coping with... more

Cadence Stars & Strikes Fundraiser Benefits Children With Autism [Reuters, 02/21/08]
San Jose is a big step closer to having a pediatric center dedicated to diagnosing and treating autism and other serious developmental disabilities. more

Fundraiser Benefits Silicon Valley Autism Center [KCBS, 02/21/08]
Silicon Valley is one step closer to having a pediatric center dedicated to diagnosing and treating autism. Funds for the facility are being raised through a bowling tournament. more

May Institute: Responding to the Critical Need for Autism Services [Exceptional Parent, December 2007]
Autism, a neurological disability that causes difficulty with behavior, communication, learning, and social interaction, can create enormous stress on a family – stress that is magnified when one spouse is away for extended periods of time more

Randolph May Center Students Featured in the Boston Globe Fun Pages [The Boston Globe, 10/28/07]
James, a May Center student, spent time learning about aardvarks for this issue of Fun Pages. He is interviewed about what he has learned about the unique animal. more

Public Schools Prepare to Educate Kids with Autism [NPR, 08/15/07]
It takes a lot of work, but many public schools are managing to work with autistic children in mainstream classrooms. more

Showing the Human Face of Autism [The Boston Globe, 04/30/07]
"Seeing these kids and reading their stories," Sarah Wright said in a telephone interview. "It goes right to your heart." more

The Increase in Autism [The New York Times, 02/17/07]
An opinion piece highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of autism. more

Depression Can be Hard to Spot, Experts Caution [Gazette.net, 02/07/07]
For parents, one of the scariest aspects of depression is how well their children may be able to hide the symptoms. more

Dawn of a New Era: Local Philanthropy at its Best [Cape Cod Life Philanthropic Edition]
May Institute appears in the Cape Cod Life Philanthropy Edition. more

Teen Peer Pressure: Raising a Peer Pressure-Proof Child [WebMD]
In spite of adolescents' vulnerability and the strong influence of peers, parents can exert a positive influence on their adolescents' decision-making processes, offering them ways to combat the effects of peer pressure. more

We're Divorced. No, Really. [Time, 09/25/05]
Many experts believe that a clear separation immediately after the divorce provides a better foundation for healthy relations over the long term. more

Bringing Up Baby: Cuddling vs. Coddling... Secure vs. Spoiled [NY Metro Parents Magazine, 08/21/05]
Walking that fine line between care and obsession, between attention and over-stimulation, between anxiety and trust, between cuddling and coddling. more

In the Cutting Culture: Depressed and Drawing Blood to 'Feel Alive' [Los Angeles Times, 08/07/05]
Although experts point out that there is an element of copycat behavior among individuals who cut, nearly all cutters have a trait in common: They are clinically depressed. more

When Overprotective Parenting is a Problem [Metro Family Magazine, August 2005]
Parents should use common sense when deciding it’s time for all of those “firsts” — first time down the street to a friend’s house, to the prom with the family car, or simply toddling forward down a full flight of stairs. more

Be Your Own Woman [Ladies' Home Journal, March 2005]
How to keep your friends and still be yourself. more

Childhood Obesity [News for Parents.org]
Although obesity is very difficult to treat, it has been proven that "behavioral treatments," or teaching children and their families new eating and exercise habits, are superior to alternative treatments. more

Survey Sheds Light On Teen Alcohol, Drug Use [WMUR.com, 08/19/04]
A teen's use of drugs or alcohol may be linked to their relationship with their boyfriend or girlfriend, according to researchers at Columbia University. more

Slowly, But Surely [Healthcare News, February 2004]
May Center treats autism with patience. more

Mom's in Love Again [Time, 04/14/03]
The parent-child bond is intensely strong. A parent's remarriage causes a shift in that relationship, and most adult children find it unnerving. more