The Research Institute

Research to Practice • Practice to Research

October 2016

TRI's Child Development Center Creates an Environment to Thrive

By Carey Gilbert

Welcome to the TRI Child Development Center! Here at the Child Development Center (CDC) on the campus of Western Oregon University, children ages 2.5 up to 10 years of age participate in our Preschool and Afterschool Enrichment programs. Both of our programs are designed to serve the students and employees of Western Oregon University and the surrounding community.

This year we have an exciting opportunity for WOU students, employees and our surrounding community called Preschool Promise. This is a state-funded tuition subsidy program and our TRI- Child Development Center was awarded 15 openings!

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Introducing the TRI Podcast

TRI produces two types of video and audio programs that explore the inner workings of the organization.

"Within These Halls" is a series of interviews with TRI staff, exploring what inspires them to do the work they do.

"Bagels and Bites: Simple Carbs - Complex Ideas" shares 30- to 60-minute professional development presentations in which our staff share their expertise with others at TRI. Topics range from closed captioning and accessibility to graphic design and resiliency at work.

We are glad to share with you these glimpses into the workings of TRI.

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Study of Qigong Massage on Elementary School-Age Children with Autism Shows Promising Results

By Mark Schalock and Louisa Silva

Several randomized control trials conducted by a team of medical professionals and The Research Institute staff with preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have found that a “tactile stimulation protocol,” Qigong Sensory Treatment (QST) massage for autism, has been successful in normalizing responses to touch and decreasing the severity of autism. For example, by the end of two years of treatment touch had normalized by 73% and overall severity of autism has been reduced by 44% in children ages 3-5.

This study, for the first time, seeks to determine whether the massage protocol is also effective with older children, ages 6-11.