Autism Conference Presents Latest Treatments, Strategies for Changing Behavior at Home, School

Atlanta, GA ( PRWEB ) February 6, 2008 — Autism may affect as many as 1 in 150 children. This complex disorder is marked by impairments in communication and social interaction, as well as repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most scientifically backed methods available for the treatment of autism. Leading ABA researchers will be gathering this week to present the latest developments in the application of this life-changing science.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), along with its Autism and Parent Professional Partnership Special Interest Groups, will be hosting its Second Annual Autism Conference from Friday, Feb. 8 to Sunday, Feb. 10 in Atlanta.

This year’s conference, “Issues and Recent Advancements in the Behavioral Treatment of Autism: Practical Strategies for Changing Behavior at Home and School,” will focus on home- and community-based interventions as well as curriculum and instruction in the classroom.

The three-day conference will bring together 10 distinguished experts on ABA presenting resources and information that teachers, therapists and parents can use to improve the lives of children with autism. Some of the presentation topics include:

“Teaching the Social Dance” — strategies to teach young people with autism the verbal and non-verbal components to conversation

“One Size Does Not Fit All” — ways to tailor treatments to individual needs to promise the best treatment outcome

“From DT to DI: Using Direct Instruction to Teach Students with ASD” — how Direct Instruction (DI) can address the unique needs of learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) while supporting the acquisition of academic skills

This year’s Autism Conference will be held at Atlanta’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. New additions include exhibitor booths, a bookstore and author book signing by the 10 presenters.

For more information visit the Association for Behavior Analysis International website or call (269) 492-4310. On-site registration is available at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 at the Hyatt Regency, Exhibit Level in Grand Hall West. Credentialed members of the news media may attend free of charge with prior authorization.

About ABA International
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is a nonprofit professional membership organization with the mission of developing, enhancing and supporting the growth and vitality of behavior analysis through research, education and practice. Founded in 1974, the association has approximately 5,000 members worldwide. Its affiliated chapters have a total membership of 12,000 worldwide.

Complete Presentation List:

Teaching the Social Dance: Helping Children with Autism Engage in Social Interaction and Conversation
Patricia Krantz, Ph.D.
Executive Director Emeritus, Princeton Child Development Institute

“Evidence-Based Practice”: Improvement or Illusion?
Gina Green, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor, San Diego State University

One Size Does Not Fit All: Individualizing Treatment Programs for Children with Autism
Laura Schreibman, Ph.D.
Professor, University of California, San Diego

Effective School-Based Program for Children with Autism
Ilene Schwartz, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor, University of Washington

Because Our Kids Are Worth It: A Parent’s Perspective on Behavioral Interventions at Home and School
Mary Elizabeth Walsh, Ph.D.
Professor, Caldwell College

Using ABA to Improve the Lives of Adults with Autism in Work, Community and Residential Settings
Gregory MacDuff, Ph.D.
Director of Adult and Community-Living Programs, Princeton Child Development Institute

What’s My Motivation?: Encouraging Children with Autism to Develop Active Learner Participation
James W. Partington, Ph.D., BCBA
Director, Behavior Analysts, Inc.

Picking the Right ABA Program for Your Loved One: Matching Learner Needs with Instructional Strategies
Mary Jane Weiss, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor/Director of Research and Training, Rutgers University

One-on-One Programming: Using Direct Instruction to Teach Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Cathy L. Watkins, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor, California State University, Stanislaus

A Clear Picture: Using Images to Get What You Want
Andrew S. Bondy, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc.

Source:  PRWeb

The annual Easter Seals Autism Symposium will be held on February 13 and 14 in Monterey, California.  The symposium is geared towards educators, parents, therapists, social works, case administrators, and psychologists.  The Monterey Conference Center will host the 2008 symposium.  Dr. Richard Solomon, a Michigan physician, will be the keynote speaker on day one speaking on the topic P.L.A.Y. Project Level 1 Workshop Introduction to Floortime and P.L.A.Y.  Floortime and the Developmental, Individualized, and Relationship Oriented (DIR) model are based on the works of noted author and physician Dr. Stanley Greenspan.  DIR is one of several key types of autism therapy.

 Source:  Monterey Easter Seals Autism Symposium

Families in Washington State who have a child on the autism spectrum and a younger child who is asymptomatic are being asked to participate in a groundbreaking research study being conducted by the University of Washington Autism Center.  From the Journal Newspapers story on the study:

Researchers at the University of Washington were recently granted $11.3 million to work on the prevention of autism. Their work will be the first study done with a pre-symptomatic population who are thought to be at risk for autism because they have an autistic sibling.

Babies that participate in the study will be assessed at six, 12, and 24 months of age.  Out of the 200 children that the University of Washington hopes to have as participants, 100 will be chosen for a more intensive program.  This intensive program will help to foster a strong and positive attachment between the infant and his primary caregiver.

For more information, view the University of Washington’s Early Connections website.

Source:  Journal Newspapers

Autism Awareness Month is rapidly approaching (April); Toys R’Us has published a news release announcing its commitment to continue supporting Autism Speaks in 2008.  Toys R’Us and the Toys R’Us Children’s Fund have awarded a $250,000 grant to Autism Speaks.  In addition, the stores located throughout the United States will sponsor dozens of the Autism Speaks fundraising walks and allow customers to donate to Autism Speaks through in-store fundraising efforts.  The 2007 in-store fundraising brought in more than $1 million to benefit Autism Speaks.

For more information read the entire Toys R’Us/Autism Speaks press release.

A new study, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, confirms previous studies’ claims that there is no verifiable link between the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism.  An excerpt from the Reuters India article on the topic:

“This study really supports the view these are safe vaccines,” said David Brown, a researcher at Britain’s Health Protection Agency who worked on the study. “The evidence is now so solid there really isn’t a need for further studies here.”

The vaccine/autism debate is one of the most controversial topics in the autism community, often-times causing a divide.  There are those who are certain that vaccines can cause autism and there are those who are equally certain that it doesn’t. 

Read the entire story at Reuters India.
 

Babies Excrete Vaccine-mercury Quicker Than Originally Thought, Study Shows

ScienceDaily (2008-02-04) — New research in Pediatrics offers another reason to rethink blaming the spike in autism diagnoses on thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative routinely used in several childhood vaccines until the late ’90s. Infants’ bodies expel the thimerosal mercury much faster than originally thought — thereby leaving little chance for a progressive building up of the toxic metal. … > read full article

New Gene Linked To Fragile X Syndrome — Suggests Potential Targets For Autism And Other Neurological Disorders

ScienceDaily (2008-02-01) — Scientists have discovered a new gene involved in fragile X syndrome, a condition that often shares many symptoms of autism. The discovery may lead to new tests or treatments for several neurological disorders. … > read full article

Accelerated Head Growth Can Predict Autism Before Behavioral Symptoms Start, Study Suggests

ScienceDaily (2008-01-31) — Children with autism have normal-size heads at birth but develop accelerated head growth between six and nine months of age, a period that precedes the onset of many behaviors that enable physicians to diagnose the developmental disorder, according to new research. … > read full article

As 24 states gear up for the Super Tuesday primaries tomorrow, the Autism Society of America has sent out an email to all of its members reminding voters to look at the presidential candidate’s plans for autism research, treatment, etc.  The ASA created a questionnaire for candidates to fill out but only former candidate John Edwards responded.  The ASA points members to the following websites for information on the candidates’ positions on autism issues.

Hillary Clinton’s Plan to Help Children And Families Affected By Autism

Barack Obama’s Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities

American Association of People with Disabilities Summary of Candidate Responses

Advocates for Children’s Health Affected by Mercury Poisoning

Every Child Matters’ Presidential Election Watch