The Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment

At the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, our mission is clear: to enhance understanding, develop groundbreaking treatments, and improve the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

We are pioneering a genetics-first approach to unravel the complexities of autism. Through our leadership in the Autism Sequencing Consortium, we have been instrumental in identifying hundreds of genes related to an autism diagnosis. This genetic understanding is revolutionizing how we approach autism—from a purely behavioral definition to a biologically grounded one.

Our Center is distinguished by its comprehensive, bench-to-bedside methodology. We seamlessly integrate preclinical research, translational research, and clinical research. This allows us to rapidly translate our laboratory discoveries into clinical trials, advancing treatment options for individuals affected by autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Clinicians, clinician-scientists, translational and computational scientists across various disciplines work side by side, studying the same genes from different angles. This collaborative environment not only accelerates our research but also provides an enriching experience for trainees and faculty alike.

We are unique in our focus researching and treating profound autism—autism affecting individuals who will need access to lifelong support and supervision. This often-overlooked group represents up to half of all individuals on the autism spectrum. By developing novel tools and modifying existing ones, we are able to study and serve this population more effectively than ever before.

I am filled with optimism about the future of autism research and treatment. I am confident that we will see the emergence of biologically based treatments for profound autism, with our center playing a pivotal role in their development.

As we move forward, we remain committed to our core values of scientific rigor, collaboration, and community engagement. We continue to publish extensively, with over 40 high-impact papers each year, cementing our position as one of the most productive autism research centers in the world.

Joseph D. Buxbaum, PhD, MSc
Director, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai