Upcoming Conferences

We post this list as a courtesy. We do not necessarily endorse the views or services of any of the following conferences, organizations, or speakers. Your experience, and that of others in your community, should be the most trusted guideline when seeking help and support. Please send conference information to Kristin Kramer.

• April 25, 2008 - Wichita, Kansas
• April 29, 2008 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• May 5 - 9, 2008 - New York, New York
• May 15 - 17, 2008 - London, UK
• May 20, 2008 - Lowell, Massachusetts
• August 4 - 8, 2008 - Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Current and Emerging Practices with Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Dr. Richard Simpson

Heartspring Conference Center
8700 E 29th St N
Wichita, KS 67226
Friday, April 25, 2008

Symposium Description

Children and youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are significantly taxing the skills and resources of schools, families and clinical professionals as well as parents and family members. These challenges are at least in part a function of a lack of understanding of the disorder and those strategies and methods that have proven most effective in achieving desired outcomes. Without a doubt, positive outcomes for students with ASD require use of scientifically-based and specially designed effective methods. This presentation will focus on identifying, using and evaluating practices and strategies that are most utilitarian and effective in educating, managing and supporting learners with autism spectrum disorders. Issues and methods for identifying maximally effective interventions and practices will be addressed. This conference will also be available via Live Streaming Webcast through Heartspring.tv.

Agenda

8:30 to 9:00	Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Issues Connected to Successful Program Planning for Children and Youth with ASD
9:00 to 10:00	Overview of Evidence-Based ASD Practices and Guidelines for Selecting Interventions and Treatments
10:10 to 12:20	Intervention Options for Children and Youth with ASD: Interpersonal Relationship-Based Programs and Skill-Based and Environmental Support Interventions
12:20 to 1:20	Lunch: on your own
1:20-3:20	Intervention Options for Children and Youth with ASD: Cognitive-Based Programs, Physiological/Neurological Options and Other Interventions and Treatments
3:30-4:00	Summary and Q&A

For more information, visit
http://www.heartspring.org/resources/professionals/speakers/psimpson/
Simpson.html

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Asperger's Disorder: Advances in Understandin and Interventions

Celine Saulnier, Ph.D.

Holiday Inn Philadelphia Stadium
900 Packer Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Symposium Description

8:00 to 8:45	Registration/Refreshments
8:45 to 10:00	What Are Autism Spectrum Disorders? Clinical Features of Autism and Related Conditions Diagnostic Differentiation of Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD-NOS Case Examples
10:00 to 10:15	Refreshment Break
10:15 to 11:00	Diagnostic Assessment Early Detection and Initial Diagnosis Psychological Assessments for Low and High-Functioning Diagnostic and Behavioral Assessments Multidisciplinary Evaluations
11:00 to 12:00	Educational and Therapeutic Programming Issues in Treatment and Intervention Applied Behavior Analysis and Empirically Validated Methods Inclusion: To Include or Not To Include?
12:00 to 1:15	Lunch: On Your Own
1:15 to 2:00	Social and Communication Interventions Social Skills Interventions Conversation Training Play and Interaction
2:00 to 3:00	Emotional Regulation and Adaptive Behavior Training Psychological and Emotional Supports Addressing Maladaptive Behaviors Adaptive Skills Training Vocational and Life Skills Training
3:00 to 3:15	Refreshment Break
3:15 to 4:30	Complementary and Alternative Interventions Defining CAM Media Interplay and Its Role in Autism Awareness and Treatment Current Research on Efficacy of CAMs

For more information, visit
http://www.neei.org/workshops/conference_details.aspx?WID=1&Camp;ID=298

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YAI/NIPD Network's 29th Annual International Conference
Visions of Hope and Opportunity in Developmental and Learning Disabilities

Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan
1605 Broadway
New York, New York 10019
Monday, May 5 - Friday, May 9, 2008

About the conference

The YAI/NIPD Network conferences attract an annual attendance of over 3,000 people and have served as a major forum for the exchange of ideas, and for the introduction of new models and strategies which have had a profound and positive impact in our field. The focus of our conference will be based on treatment and practices, new models, and strategies which can enhance the lives of individuals with developmental and learning disabilities and their families.

About the YAI/NIPD Network

YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network is a President's Committee award-winning, not-for-profit, nonsectarian network of 7 agencies serving over 20,000 people of all ages and levels of developmental and learning disabilities daily. YAI/NIPD's more than 450 community-based programs are located throughout New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Orange and Rockland Counties, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico, and provide a full range of early intervention, pre-school, family supports, employment training and placement, clinical and residential services, home care, out-patient clinic services as well as recreation and camping services. YAI/NIPD is also a highly acclaimed professional organization, nationally renowned for our publications, conferences, training seminars, video training tapes and innovative television programs.

Conference Presentations Featuring:

• Dr. Celine Saulnier
  “Autism Spectrum Disorders: Clinical Features, Diagnostic Assessment, & Intervention Strategies”
• Richard Lavoie
  “The Social Side of Learning Disorders: Motivating and Managing the Child who Struggles in School”
• Dr. Jed Baker
  “Social Skills Training and Positive Behavioral Supports for Students with Autism, Aspergers and other Social-Communication Problems”

Exciting Keynote Presentations Including:
Dr. Celine Saulnier, “Current Perspectives in Autism Spectrum Disorders”
Dr. Temple Grandin, “Developing Abilities”

For more information, visit
http://yaiconference.org/index.cfm

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International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)

London, UK
Thursday, May 15 - Sunday, May 17, 2008

Symposium Description

The International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) was convened for the first time in November 2001, to provide ASD researchers from around the world with a focused opportunity to share the rapidly moving scientific investigation of ASD.

Until that meeting, ASD researchers competed with many other groups for the opportunity to share their work at large scientific meetings that covered a wide range of topics. While other meetings provided some opportunity to share high quality ASD research, none of them focused specifically on ASD. Funding for ASD research has increased steadily, highlighted by the emergence of private foundations, such as Autism Speaks and several NIH initiatives: The Autism Centers for Excellence (ACE), which replaces earlier NIH programs - The Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism (CPEA) and the Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment (STAART) network program. Stimulating more scientific progress in understanding ASD requires dedicated yearly venue for ASD researchers to share their findings and their resources.

Scientific progress in ASD also requires the continuous development of new scientists, from many disciplines. Scientific progress in ASD is dependent upon increasing the number and expertise of scientists working in this ASD from the wide array of the biological and behavioral sciences. Given the complex biological and behavioral nature of ASD, interdisciplinary training and ongoing mentoring of new scientists and promising graduate students is necessary to recruit talented young people in ASD research. We want to provide them with the motivation and mentoring needed to focus a career on ASD and related developmental disorders. Having an annual interdisciplinary meeting focused on scientific progress in understanding and treating ASD provides an unparalleled opportunity for recognizing, supporting, and motivating talented graduate students and postdoctoral fellows into a career in ASD research.

Objectives of the meeting:

1. The International Meeting for Austism Research (IMFAR) is an annual scientific meeting, convened each spring, to exchange and disseminate new scientific progress among ASD scientists and their trainees from around the world. The first and primary aim of the meeting is to promote exchange and dissemination of the latest scientific findings and to stimulate research progress in understanding the nature, causes, and treatments for ASD.
2. Research on ASD involves sophisticated behavioral and biological approaches. ASD affects people’s functioning in virtually every domain, requiring interdisciplinary research collaboration to gain comprehensive knowledge of the disorder. A second aim of the meeting is to foster dialogue among ASD scientists across disciplines and across methods.
3. The third aim is to promote the training and development of new ASD scientists by supporting the inclusion of postdoctoral and predoctoral trainees as well as junior faculty who are already working in ASD research. The opportunity for trainees and junior faculty to interact with established ASD scientists will foster the creativity and productivity of those at all levels.
4. The fourth aim is to foster diversity among ASD scientists by encouraging attendance and supporting access to the meeting for scientists and trainees from members of traditionally underrepresented groups, including those from ethnic minority groups, and those with disabilities.

For more information, visit http://www.autism-insar.org/.

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Asperger's Disorder: Advances in Understanding and Interventions

Celine Saulnier, Ph.D.

Doubletree Riverfront Hotel
50 Warren Street
Lowell, Massachusetts 01852
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Symposium Description

8:00 to 8:45	Registration/Refreshments
8:45 to 10:00	What Are Autism Spectrum Disorders? Clinical Features of Autism and Related Conditions Diagnostic Differentiation of Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD-NOS Case Examples
10:00 to 10:15	Refreshment Break
10:15 to 11:00	Diagnostic Assessment Early Detection and Initial Diagnosis Psychological Assessments for Low and High-Functioning Diagnostic and Behavioral Assessments Multidisciplinary Evaluations
11:00 to 12:00	Educational and Therapeutic Programming Issues in Treatment and Intervention Applied Behavior Analysis and Empirically Validated Methods Inclusion: To Include or Not To Include?
12:00 to 1:15	Lunch: On Your Own
1:15 to 2:00	Social and Communication Interventions Social Skills Interventions Conversation Training Play and Interaction
2:00 to 3:00	Emotional Regulation and Adaptive Behavior Training Psychological and Emotional Supports Addressing Maladaptive Behaviors Adaptive Skills Training Vocational and Life Skills Training
3:00 to 3:15	Refreshment Break
3:15 to 4:30	Complementary and Alternative Interventions Defining CAM Media Interplay and Its Role in Autism Awareness and Treatment Current Research on Efficacy of CAMs

For more information, visit
http://www.neei.org/workshops/conference_details.aspx?WID=1&Camp;ID=298.

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Autism and Asperger Syndrome: From Assessment to Treatment

Michael D. Powers, Psy.D.

Four Points by Sheraton Eastham
Route 6
Eastham, Massachusetts 02642
Monday, August 4 to Friday, August 8, 2008

Symposium Description

With the incidence of autism, Asperger syndrome and related pervasive developmental disorders now at 1 in 150, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) have become a widespread concern for mental health practitioners, educators, and parents.

This symposium synthesizes current research and practice on the etiology, diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and evaluation of ASDs. Participants will learn to distinguish diagnostic issues for various ASDs, and the relationship between core neuropsychological assets and deficits to learning, social, communication, and behavioral issues that may be present from early childhood through young adulthood. The goal of this symposium is to teach mental health practitioners how to provide state-of-the-art care based on current research and understanding to support the range of needs presented by those with ASDs and their families.

Symposium Schedule

Monday

• Understanding autism and Asperger syndrome
• Core deficits
• Theories of causation
• Genetics
• Neuropsychological assets and deficits
• Assessment
• Differential diagnosis of ASDs

Tuesday

• Understanding and treating social and communication problems
• Social skills training
• Group and individual treatment
• Skills for home and community
• Social communication skills
• Conversation skills

Wednesday

• Understanding the causes of challenging behavior
• Goals of assessment and treatment
• Situations that “set the stage” for behavior
• Assessment of behavioral function
• Identifying replacement behaviors

Thursday

• Strategies for changing challenging behavior at home, in the classroom, and in the community
• Integrating treatment planning with social and communication objectives
• Functional communication training
• Developing positive behavioral supports
• Evaluation of treatment effectiveness
• Ethical issues in treatment; safeguarding client rights

Friday

• Creating effective educational programs
• Specific strategies to promote learning and behavior in the classroom
• Working collaboratively with families
• Evaluating program effectiveness

For more information, visit
http://www.neei.org/workshops/conference_details.aspx?WID=2&CID=109.