Name: Jan Blacher
Category: Public Policy: Autism
Title: Professor of Education, founder and director of UCR’s new Support, Education, Advocacy, Resources Community Hope (SEARCH) center.
Degree: Ph.D. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Areas of Expertise: In recent years there has been a striking increase in the number of children diagnosed with Austism Spectrum Disorder. Once thought to affect 4 in 10,000 children, it is now believed to be as prevalent as 1 in 60 by some estimates, but conservatively as prevalent as 1 in 500. Certainly, the media has made headlines of these numbers. One reason for "autism rising", is that the diagnostic criteria and definitions have changed. There is also some very controversial evidence for increased environmental or genetic risk for autism. Regardless of the true cause or causes, the demand for services is real, indeed, particularly for early intervention which has been shown to alleviate many autistic symptoms. However, politics surround the autism controversy and lawyers have entered the fray. Blacher studies autism, developmental disabilities, mental retardation and special education policy.
Recognition: Fellow of the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR)
Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Division 33, Mental Retardation)
Recipient of the 1989 AAMR Region II Research Award
Outside Activities: Served on a committee for the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science, which wrote guidelines advising the Social Security Administration on ways to improve their definition of disability, consistent with the best current scientific and community practices.
Writes "Research Reflections" column in Exceptional Parent magazine.
Frequent expert witness in parental rights cases.
E-mail: jan.blacher@ucr.edu
Phone: (951) 827-3875
Preferred Media: Print, Radio, Video
Media Contact:
- Todd Ransom
todd.ransom@ucr.edu
951.827.1287