Waisman Center - Madison, Wisconsin

The Waisman Center: A Leading Research and Service Provider

The Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a nationally and internationally recognized research institute dedicated to understanding and treating developmental disorders, particularly those affecting the brain and nutrition. Located at Address: 1500 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705, the center offers a unique blend of cutting-edge research, clinical services, and educational programs. Contact them at Phone: 82631656, or visit their website at Website: waisman.wisc.edu for more information.

Specialties: The Waisman Center’s primary focus lies in several key areas, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, early brain development, nutrition and metabolism, and behavioral genetics. They conduct research on the underlying causes of these conditions and develop innovative interventions to improve the lives of individuals affected. A significant portion of their work revolves around the impact of nutrition on brain development and function – a legacy stemming from the pioneering work of Dr. Jerry Waisman, the center’s founder.

Research Highlights and Areas of Expertise

The center boasts a remarkably diverse research portfolio. Some notable areas of investigation include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Researchers at the Waisman Center are at the forefront of ASD research, exploring genetic factors, environmental influences, and behavioral therapies. They are particularly interested in early identification and intervention strategies.
• Intellectual Disability: The center investigates the genetic and environmental causes of intellectual disability and develops individualized educational and therapeutic programs.
• Early Brain Development: A core area of research focuses on the critical stages of brain development in infancy and early childhood, with a particular emphasis on the role of nutrition and sensory experiences.
• Nutrition and Metabolism: The Waisman Center’s legacy is deeply rooted in the field of nutrition. They conduct research on the relationship between diet, metabolism, and brain health, with a focus on preventing and treating metabolic disorders.
• Behavioral Genetics: Researchers utilize advanced genetic techniques to identify genes associated with developmental disorders and to understand how genes interact with the environment.

Clinical Services and Support

Beyond its research endeavors, the Waisman Center provides a comprehensive range of clinical services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. These services are designed to promote independence, enhance quality of life, and support families in navigating the complexities of raising a child with a developmental challenge. The center’s clinical team consists of experienced professionals, including occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and educators. It is evident that the center prioritizes a holistic approach, considering the individual’s needs across various domains – physical, cognitive, social, and emotional.

Accessibility and Community Engagement

The Waisman Center is committed to accessibility and inclusivity. The building features a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring that individuals with mobility impairments can easily access the facility. Furthermore, the center actively engages with the community through outreach programs, educational workshops, and collaborations with local organizations. The center’s dedication to serving the community extends beyond its clinical services and research activities.

Positive Feedback and Reputation

Based on numerous reviews, the Waisman Center enjoys a consistently high level of satisfaction among its clients and families. The Average opinion: 4.6/5 reflects the positive experiences reported by those who have benefited from the center’s services. Many parents highlight the kindness and understanding of the therapists, emphasizing their dedication to helping their children grow and learn. One particularly poignant comment speaks to the transformative impact of the center’s intervention: ‘It’s like she saying yes Finally’. These testimonials underscore the center's commitment to providing compassionate and effective care. The team’s ability to foster excitement and encourage progress is clearly valued by families. The center’s success is also attributed to a 'great team of caring individuals’ as noted by one reviewer.

Contact Information and Resources

For more details about the Waisman Center’s research, clinical services, and educational programs, we encourage prospective clients and researchers to visit their website at waisman.wisc.edu or to contact them directly at 82631656. The center is located at 1500 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705, and is easily accessible via public transportation.

👍 Reviews of Waisman Center

I A. S.

5/5

Love my daughter’s OT/Speech therapists! They’re always so kind and understanding. I love how they’re helping my daughter grow and Learn with her new communication device. I love to see the excitement on my daughter’s face, when device speaks the words for her. “It’s like she saying yes! Finally!! . Forever grateful! I’d highly recommend, they have a great team of caring individuals. Shout out to Bethany and Theresa! Much love and appreciation.

Stephanie K.

5/5

This was our first time meeting with Tricia and we had such a positive experience. She was empathetic, a great listener, validating our concerns, and very professional. She made sure our follow-up plans matched our needs moving forward.
I believe she was in a challenging situation as a PA, following up on our doctor visits, and trying to help us prepare for future visits. We had never met her before but it felt like we worked with her for a long time by the end of the virtual call.

Katie F.

5/5

Everyone is super friendly!! The doctor takes time to explain and answer any and all questions I have. I’ve never felt more relaxed when is comes to healthcare for my children.

Clint H.

5/5

My daughter has one week left in Starting Together for Autism, which she has done from ages 1.5-5. It has been extremely helpful.

Lisa Zurbuchen (our primary support for parent training) has been extremely insightful and engaged, and all of the staff have been wonderful with our daughter. She has gone from fixating on matching items (like holding 2 forks) to playing, engaging, looking up at us and smiling to see if we are watching her when she plays. She was nonverbal when she began and has been recently been using individual words and occasionally speaking full sentences, and is even repeating herself sometimes upon request.

She is doing very well, and we are very grateful for the support from the Starting Together team.

Angela S.

5/5

Very long wait, over a year, but very professional, kind and thorough clinic. Speech therapist really listened to my daughter’s needs and was really kind and patient. Appointment didn’t feel rushed and feel we have a good understanding of next steps.

Nikki H.

5/5

My son was on the waiting list for the AAC (CASC) program. He came up on waiting listing quicker then expected. The speech therapist was so good with my son. He enjoyed going every time. We had a schedule that even when we couldn’t make it we kept going on same days/time until we finished and got his device. He was even diagnosed with Autism there, great specialist and I’d refer anyone there. I’m so blessed and thankful for everyone that has worked with both of my boys. We’ll miss all of them.

John B.

1/5

I was told that it was a phone call appointment. I got up early and waited and never received a call. Then after 15 minutes I tried to call them and couldn’t get through.

Joe

5/5

Excellent program and great professionals to work with caring for our grandson.