UTA supports neurodivergent students at every stage

Jamila Thomas loves bringing her 11-year-old daughter Jaidence to The University of Texas at Arlington’s Little Mavs Movement Academy, now in its 13th year of helping children with motor or developmental disabilities build everyday skills like buttoning a shirt, using utensils and writing clearly.

“When we pull into the parking lot, Jaidence literally runs inside,” Thomas said. “To have a community that is specifically for her, where she can have some fun and be herself and hang out with mentors, it’s a joy to see. It’s really a blessing since there sometimes aren’t a lot of resources available.”

As National Autism Acceptance Month and World Autism Month conclude, and interest remains high in understanding autism, UT Arlington remains a leader in providing essential support for neurodivergent children, UT Arlington students and their families.

The Motor Development Lab at UT Arlington offers programs such as the Little Mavs Movement Academy and a variety of campus resources to promote long-term success for eligible individuals with neurodivergent conditions.

One of the most vital services UTA provides is a free assessment for motor coordination problems, which can help determine if a child has a neurodivergent condition. Families travel to UTA from other states and even as far away as Central America and Canada to take advantage of the free evaluation, which aims to accurately determine whether developmental coordinator disorder, also known as dyspraxia, a common condition co-occurring with autism, is present, its severity and the specific type of support it requires. According to Priscila Tamplain, associate professor of kinesiology in UTA’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation, the cost of a comprehensive evaluation by a professional can range between $1,000 and $5,000, and scheduling an evaluation can be challenging because of long wait times and limited availability of specialists.

Additionally, UTA’s Little Mavs Movement Academy provides a rare opportunity for families with children who have neurodivergent conditions to gather with others facing similar challenges in a fun and supportive environment. Each semester, about 30 children ages 4-13 and their parents attend 10 one-hour sessions once a week, some driving up to 90 minutes to reach campus. Families such as the Thomases see firsthand the care and support of the UTA community.

“It really is an awakening to what UTA is all about,” Thomas said. “It’s wonderful what the University is doing across the board.”

Along with the Little Mavs Movement Academy, Dr. Tamplain directs the Motor Development Lab at UT Arlington, known as MODE, which serves primarily to investigate the development of motor behavior in children and adolescents by exploring screening and diagnostic tools related to motor coordination disorders in children. Based on its findings, Tamplain proposes intervention, training and rehabilitation protocols that can improve those difficulties.

“Parents tell me all the time that they’re worried about their child’s motor skills,” Tamplain said. “I had one mom tell me, ‘I used to have to walk around with wipes to clean his face at age 10.’ That was really striking to me. There’s a huge need to develop adequate motor skills in these children. It’s still completely overlooked. It’s kind of the missing puzzle piece in the autism profile.”

UTA’s comprehensive infrastructure to support children with neurodivergent conditions extends to its own students. The Learning Access Center provides a welcoming environment for students diagnosed with autism, ADHD and/or learning disabilities, offering support and resources aimed to help neurodivergent students navigate life on campus and succeed in the classroom.

UTA doctoral student Crystal Alvarez, who works under Tamplain, is also neurodivergent, providing her a unique perspective when working with the children and families who attend the Little Mavs Movement Academy. Alvarez wasn’t diagnosed until her 30s, but said she grew up knowing something was off with her motor skills. Her experiences as a volunteer at Little Mavs convinced her to change her career path to focus on helping children with neurodivergent conditions.

“When I started working with these kids, volunteering as a motor skills interventionist, I really found my purpose,” Alvarez said. “The research and work really healed a little piece of me as a neurodivergent person in understanding why I was so clumsy growing up—why I still am so clumsy.”

Tamplain and Alvarez are among the few researchers in the nation studying motor behavior in autistic children. Tamplain said emphasis is often placed on improving the social and communication skills of neurodivergent children rather than their daily motor skills, even though data shows that 90% of autistic children struggle with motor difficulties.

Alvarez personally knows the benefits that are provided through UTA’s Learning Access Center.

“Our students are incredibly capable and have so much to offer the world,” said Misty Hogg, assistant director of the center. “Our role is to ensure they reach their fullest potential.”

The Little Mavs Movement Academy is accepting applications for the fall 2025 semester. Families interested in applying should visit littlemavs.uta.edu. Current students interested in learning more about the Learning Access Center should visit https://www.uta.edu/student-affairs/sarcenter/learning-access-center.