In this new Short Talks from the Hill, Peggy Schaefer-Whitby chats with us about steps she's taking to help children with autism — and their families — in the Southeast part of the state.

Her efforts began after she noticed that children in that area weren't accessing the Medicaid Autism Waiver program and that they were living in a "therapy desert."

"It's critical that children with autism receive a diagnosis early so that they can access evidence-based services, or treatment, that directly impacts the core symptoms of autism," Schaefer-Whitby said.

Schaefer-Whitby, a special education professor in the College of Education and Health Professions, discusses her Delta Autism Project and more in the latest edition of Short Talks From the Hill, a podcast from the University of Arkansas.

To listen to more Short Talks podcasts, go to ResearchFrontiers.uark.edu, the home of research news at the University of Arkansas. Listeners can also find Short Talks From the Hill podcasts under the "Local & Podcast" link at KUAF.com.

Short Talks From the Hill highlights research and scholarly work at the University of Arkansas. Each segment features a university researcher discussing his or her work. For more information and additional podcasts, click on the Multimedia link at ResearchFrontiers.uark.edu.