Dr. Tasreen Alibhai

The Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Children with Autism

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has shown promising results in the treatment of autism. HBOT involves the breathing of pure oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber – pressurized above one atmosphere absolute (ATA). Originally utilized to treat a life-threatening condition known as the ‘bends’, in divers, its therapeutic use has expanded to include carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, osteomyelitis, and, more recently, autism.

HBOT enhances blood flow to the brain, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, and mobilizes stem cells from the bone marrow. Deficits in all of these have been implicated in the development of autism.

A typical treatment protocol for autism consists of breathing pure oxygen for sixty minutes at 1.3 to 1.5 ATA, which corresponds to a depth of ten to seventeen feet of seawater (FSW).

A substantial majority of patients experience benefits with HBOT. These include improvements in language, eye contact, socialization, appetite and digestion. It can also reduce the intestinal inflammation associated with bacteria, fungus and parasites.

Current research and case studies will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

* To understand how HBOT can help in the treatment of autism.
* To discuss current treatment protocols used.
* To discuss current research and case studies.

Keri Bowers, Filmmaker & Mother of a Son with Autism

The ART of Communication and Collaboration: Building Relationships and a Roadmap to Your Child’s Future with Keri Bowers

Keri Bowers is a mother, advocate, filmmaker, artist, and internationally recognized speaker in autism and special needs. For over 22 years, she has blazed trails and opened doors for both her son Taylor, who is now 22, and for thousands of families around the world. Based on experience, Keri has found one principle theme contributes to improved advocacy and outcomes, and that is: how polished we are in our personal and interpersonal communication skills.

Keri’s talk will provide participants with “power tools” and creative strategies for strengthening skills in communication and collaborations to improve outcomes in advocacy. Whether in an IEP or other planning meeting, working with schools, teachers, administrators, and others to build strong teams of support, to how we communicate with our children, Keri will share her ABC’s of effective communication; ideas for futures planning, and how a more creative YOU can play an essential role in your child’s future.

Keri’s films include Normal People Scare Me, a film about autism, The Sandwich Kid, a film about siblings and disabilities, and ARTS, a film about possibilities, disabilities & the arts. Her workbook “Mapping Transitions to Your Child’s Future is a cornerstone of her talk in this session. At 22, Taylor lives in an independent living program in Southern California – she’ll share how her strategies worked to get him into this great program!

www.normalfilms.com

Anita Bratt

Top 10 List of Biomedical Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder

The incidence of autism has been increasing at alarming rates in recent years. Effective therapies designed to address underlying factors contributing to this disorder will be discussed, with practical advice on implementing them for children.

An overview of the most common issues will be presented including nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivities, mitochondrial dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorders, and environmental toxicity. Evidence-based treatment protocols, dietary modification, nutritional supplementation, and the role of comprehensive testing will be emphasized. The presentation will be supported with actual case studies of autistic children undergoing therapies and the results of treatment.

Mark Bulgutch

Behind the Scenes, Seeing the Real Truth of TV News!

Mark Bulgutch, a 37 year veteran of CBC News, will take you behind the scenes to see how television handled some of the most important breaking news stories of our times, including stories about the autism epidemic. How do journalists balance two competing interests, speed and accuracy? What do they do to try to make sense of chaotic events and troublesome controversies such as the vaccine issue? Do they succeed? And a look ahead as well. The trends in television news today that are very worrisome.

Eustacia Cutler

Meet Temple’s Mom! Coming to Terms with Expectations Around Autism, An Historical View

A Thorn in My Pocket is Eustacia Cutler’s story of raising her daughter, Temple Grandin, in the conservative Leave-it-to-Beaver world of the fifties, a time when children with autism were routinely diagnosed as “infant schizophrenics” and banished to institutions. She tells of her fight to keep Temple in the mainstream of family, community, and school life, how Temple responded and went on to succeed, as Ms. Cutler puts it, “beyond my wildest dreams.” Ms. Cutler also explores the nature of the autism disorder as doctors understand it today, and how its predominant characteristics reflect our own traits in an exaggerated form.

“We are not thinking beings who feel, we are feeling beings who think.  The mind is in the service of the body.” - Neurobiologist Antonio R. Damasio

But what if autism has skewed the neurology of that body?  A child can have a first rate mind, but if his neurology isn’t sending it the right signals, how can he interpret what’s going on?  Chances are he can’t. Or he gets it wrong. Or the neurological static created by his autism is so loud and over-powering his mind cannot pick up any kind of signal, let alone interpret it.

And so begins the painful catch:  we’re social creatures, reaching out to each other for our sense of self. But when autism hinders a child from responding, it’s not just the child who is lost. Along with the daily stress of caring for him, his parents suffer the soul destroying feeling that they are no good as parents. Professionals please take note. Without your insightful help their distress is likely to escalate.  Here’s what I met at the last conference:

A strapping Dad,  6 ft. 2,  250 pounds—looking like one of the cattle men who threw bulls’ balls on my daughter Temple’s truck—struggles to tell me about his half grown son and bursts into tears, so overwhelmed by the boy’s behavior he no longer feels he is the honorable man he thought he was.  Stammering incoherently, he begs me to give him a hug. We hug and in that strained moment he becomes– what?  A shame filled child asking for forgiveness?  A self pitying adolescent who wants out?  My guess is, the hug is an S.O.S.  He aches to leave his family so he can reclaim his honor, but knows the unjust toll it will take.

Children with autism don’t live by themselves in a bubble.  They live with families. And their neurological disorder almost always disorders the family. Over and over, at the multitude of national and international conferences where I present, I listen to the tales of families in distress. Professionals guide those with autism, but who guides the parents?  Life choices for people with autism depend on parents; and later on upon willing siblings who will take over when both parents die.

I look back gratefully to the doctors and professionals who guided me so I could guide Temple. Believe me, Temple did not spring like Athena from the head of Zeus, fully armed and all wise. It was a long, trauma filled journey, but always one in partnership with professionals. A partnership all parents deserve.

William Davis

A practical presentation for people with autism, their families, friends, educators and community. Learn to examine behavioral cues and patterns, utilize behavioral management strategies, manage outbursts and cope with anxieties and frustrations. This presentation will be full of tips and parental advice, ABA and suggestions based on research and experience.
We will develop plans for:

* Interactions of family members
* Keeping people with autism safe
* Travel
* Encounters with emergency service responders
* Tough discussion on Bullying
* IEP’S,School & Safe School Bus Travel
* Holidays
* Fitness & Hygiene

Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh

Bringing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Therapy and Biomedical Treatments Together

Early intervention is imperative in the treatment of children with autism for the best possible outcome.

Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh has the most comprehensive approach to the treatment of these children worldwide through the CARD system of ABA which is the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors to a meaningful degree. Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh will discuss the details of this systematic approach to the assessment and evaluation of behavior, and the application of interventions that alter behavior.

ABA is the most objective discipline focused on the reliable measurement and objective evaluation of observable behavior to this date. Programs based upon ABA methodologies are grounded in the well-established principles of learning and operant conditioning, as influenced by the works of researchers such as Edward L. Thorndike and B.F. Skinner. The use of single case experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of individualized interventions is an essential component of ABA programs.

ABA generally focuses on the process of behavior change with respect to the development of adaptive, prosocial behavior and the reduction of maladaptive behavior. Specific “socially significant behaviors” include academics, communication, social skills and adaptive living skills.

Elaine Hall “Coach E”

The Miracle Project: Using Creativity and Joy To Bring Out the Best in Children with Autism

This workshop is presented by Elaine Hall, featured as “Coach E” in the HBO award-winning documentary, Autism: The Musical.

This workshop will include:
* 7 Steps to Joining A Child’s World
* Developing Creativity, Spontaneity and Joy
* Being “Miracle Minded”
* Inclusion: Peer Role Models, Siblings, Family, Community
* Celebrating Differences

Shannon Kenitz

Hope and Possibilities

Shannon Kenitz knows firsthand the heartbreak and struggles of having a child with a disability. Her youngest daughter, Grace, was diagnosed with a very rare mitochondrial disorder that kept her in the hospital virtually for the first three years of her life. Grace more recently has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Hear from a mother, Shannon, who did not accept the recommendation to cease life-prolonging measures. And because of that, Grace progressed to feed herself, recover from blindness, and at almost 7-years old, walk for the first time on January 20, 2006. Shannon was a guest on The Montel Williams Show in 2006 and has a book and movie forthcoming.

David Kirby

The Causes and Treatments of Autism – Recent News from Science and the Courts

Autism has many causes, and most cases seem to be the result of highly complex interactions between genes and the environment, both prenatally and in early infancy. Kirby will discuss recent scientific research linking the onset of regressive ASD to things such as complex seizure disorders, demyelinating diseases, heavy metal exposure and mitochondrial dysfunction. He will show how they can produce symptoms commonly found in autism, including oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation, activation of the brain’s immune cells, cytokine imbalances and glutathione depletion. Kirby will also discuss diagnostic tools for mitochondrial dysfunction, and why certain biomedical interventions could plausibly help mediate or reverse some autism symptoms. Finally, he will discuss the large number of ASD children who have received awards from the US Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Lori Knowles

Presentation 1) “A Mother’s Success Story: Daniel’s Journey Out of Autism”

Unsure if you should consider biomedical approaches in treating autism? Are you confused about where and how to get started? Lori’s presentation is designed for those new to the biomedical approach and for those seeking an easy to understand overview of some of the most important biomedical treatments. She will include an overview of the most important treatments including dietary intervention, yeast treatments, nutritional supplements, detoxification, and other alternative treatments that helped contribute to her son’s recovery. This is a practical and parent friendly presentation that will inspire and give you hope. Share in Daniel’s progress through his mother’s account, pictures and video segments.

Presentation 2) “Navigating the Maze of Nutritional Supplements”

Nutritional supplement therapy has become an integral component of biomedical treatments for autism. Defeat Autism Now physicians are asking parents to give their children 6-20 different supplements each day. Why is this necessary? How do you know what is best for each child? What is the best approach for starting nutritional supplementation? Lori Knowles, Director of New Beginnings Nutritionals addresses these questions while discussing the most important aspects of nutritional intervention in autism.

Kelly LeBrock

A Stars Thoughts on a Holistic Approach to Autism

Julie Matthews

Part I:  Nourishing Hope: Food Matters for Autism

Julie will explain the science behind diet and nutrition for autism and give an overview of the most effective ASD diet options including GFCF, SCD, Body Ecology, Feingold, low oxalate, and more.  She’ll discuss the foundations of a healthy diet, which foods and ingredients to avoid, nourishing foods to add, making changes that work for the whole family, and strategies for adults and picky eaters.

Part II: Cooking To Heal: Effective Autism Diet Implementation

Julie will explain how to effectively implement an “autism diet,” focusing on the GFCF diet and including common meal ideas and substitutions for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and others.  She will provide food and meal ideas that are nutrient dense and picky-eater friendly.  You’ll learn time saving tips, get meal ideas, and receive kid-friendly recipes for implementing the GFCF diet, and experienced families will learn how to make even further progress with diet

Learning objectives:

Professionals will:
– Learn how nutrition and diet relate to biomedical concepts, underlying biochemistry, and the gut-brain connection.
– Gain a more complete understanding of diets that their patients may be using, beyond GFCF.
– Become familiar with various autism diets and when to consider using them.

Parents will:
– Gain practical informationfrom things that parents new to diet can change right away (such as removing artificial ingredients and choosing and starting a diet), to detailed dietary suggestions for parents that have been applying diet for years.
– Be ready to make positive changes to diet as soon as they return home.
– Learn tactics for picky eaters, and how they too can learn to expand their diet.

Jerry Newport

We Will Outlive You!

Jerry will present on the topic, “We Will Outlive You,” focusing on the fact that most people with any kind of autism will outlive their parents and other people prominent in their early support community.

Jerry Newport is an internationally known author, advocate and person with Asperger syndrome and is married to a Mary, who also has Asperger syndrome. Both Jerry and Mary are also savants and were featured twice on “Sixty Minutes,“ the second time after a movie they inspired, “Mozart and The Whale.”

Dr. William Shaw

Keynote/Presentation 1) Introduction to Biomedical Treatments in Autism, AD(H)D and Related Disorders

The talk covers Dr. William Shaw’s perspective on the metabolic causes of autism and developmental disorders. Genetic variations of the immune system, inborn errors of metabolism, or adverse reactions to immunizations lead to recurrent infections that are commonly treated with antibiotics. A yeast overgrowth of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract occurs following the elimination of the GI normal flora with antibiotic treatments. Yeast produce abnormal compounds called gliotoxins and other immunotoxins harmful to the immune system. Because the immune system is weakened, the child gets another infection and more antibiotics until a vicious cycle is established. The yeast produces a number of harmful effects on the child’s metabolic and neurological functioning, including impairing gastrointestinal functioning, production of excess oxalates, inhibiting energy production, and eliciting food allergies that may manifest as behavior disorders. Discussion will include why high oxalate foods may contribute to negative effects including formation of crystals in tissues.

Learn about the most common metabolic causes of autism and developmental disorders: intestinal dysbiosis, cholesterol deficiency, food allergies, industrial pollution, heavy metals intoxication, mineral imbalances and high levels of oxalates. There will be a discussion on how IgG food allergies affect behavior and how to detect the most common allergens. Find out how the mechanism of opiate peptides affect the brain, their connection with allergies, and the importance of a gluten and casein-free diet. During the presentation there will be a focus on the damaging effects of heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, aluminum and others, the mechanism of their effect on human development and ways to detect and treat high levels of these metals. Learn about the correlation between low cholesterol and brain function. Dr. Shaw will introduce the concept of cholesterol supplementation for certain patients, and review many other effective ways of correcting or reducing abnormalities with biomedical interventions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Find out about the newest biomedical research developments.
2. Treat ‘inborn errors of metabolism’.
3. Learn about leaky gut syndrome.
4. Treat food allergies using special dietary interventions including eliminating wheat and dairy.
5. Find out why heavy metals play a role in autism and developmental disorders.
6. Learn why the level of cholesterol is important for brain function.

Presentation 2) Promising New Insights, Therapies, and Tests for Autism and PDD

Many new technologies have revealed significant new factors as causes of autistic spectrum disorders including genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, disciplines involved in mass screening of genes, proteins, and metabolic processes in humans. These technologies have already lead to significant new therapeutic trials for autistic spectrum disorders. In addition, a number of recent studies have implicated both environmental factors and genetic factors related to detoxification as critical in autistic spectrum disorders. One of the most promising discoveries has been the finding that the majorities of individuals on the autistic spectrum are deficient in cholesterol and have abnormal amounts of cholesterol transport proteins. A recent article indicates that cholesterol supplementation should be considered in all cases of autistic spectrum disorder. Treatment of severe deficiency has lead to reductions of infections, improvements in sleep, social interactions, and growth. Behavior improvements include reduction in self-hurtful behavior, temper tantrums, aggressive behavior, and hyperactivity. Cholesterol is a critical factor in myelin production needed for brain growth and development, a cofactor in the brain development protein sonic hedgehog, a precursor of all steroid hormones and bile salts, and a critical factor in the function of serotonin and oxytocin receptors. Oxytocin, a hormone that stimulates social interaction and trust, has been found to be low in the blood of children with autism. Supplementation of oxytocin reduces autistic behaviors; combining cholesterol and oxytocin may be an especially effective treatment.

A number of genetic abnormalities have been found in individuals with autistic spectrum disorders at greater incidence rates than in normal people. Many of these genetic factors are called single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs (pronounced SNIPS) of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the genes that regulate folate, B-12, methylation reactions, and sulfur amino acid metabolism in a complex interrelated metabolic pathway. Furthermore, the presence of certain SNPs makes the individual more susceptible to vitamin deficiencies and exposure to toxic chemicals. Household products such as cleaners, paints and solvents, lawn and garden care, automotive products, pool chemicals, and health and beauty aids, are usually the main source of exposure since they are prevalent in the environment. We suggest patients can reduce their exposure by making small changes in their lifestyle and purchasing habits, such as not using pesticides and avoiding cosmetics and toiletries with synthetic fragrances. Several studies have now confirmed that many of these products may be involved in causing autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), and some of the genetic factors that increase vulnerability of ASD people to toxic chemicals have been identified. The use of this new information in helping the treatment of ASD will be emphasized.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn about common genetic variations called SNPs present in autism and how these variations make the individual more susceptible to exposure to toxic chemicals and nutritional deficiencies.
2. Understand the role of a wide range of toxic chemicals in inducing autism and how to reduce exposures and how to detoxify the chemicals that are in the body.
3. Learn why cholesterol is an essential nutrient necessary for growth, development, and normal behavior.
4. Understand the evidence for abnormal cholesterol production and/or transport in different types of autism and treatments that are currently available.

Dr. Stephen Shore

Date: Thursday, April 7, 2011, 4:00-5:30pm

Title: Educating children with autism: Examining 5 promising approaches

Description: Noting that there has been no true comparison between educational/behavioral/developmental approaches for working with children on the autism spectrum, qualitative research was initiated to investigate Applied Behavioral Analysis, TEACCH, Daily Life Therapy, Miller Method, and DIR.  Other methods such as RDI and SCERTS are also discussed.

Some preliminary findings suggest that current definitions of autism are lacking and a more multi-dimensional approach is needed, the autism spectrum as currently employed is too wide to be useful, many techniques are applicable across approaches, and a general sense that people with autism have something valuable to contribute to the community as a whole.

Title: Success with autism: Using our strengths for achieving a fulfilling and productive life today, tomorrow, and beyond

Description: Considering autism as an expression of the diversity of the human gene pool rather than a life limiting disorder, let’s look at how people with this condition are able to build fulfilling and productive lives starting with today; moving on to tomorrow and beyond.  Drawing from the author’s own experiences as well as others on the autism spectrum, practical solutions in the areas of education, relationships, employment, self-advocacy, and disclosure shall be explored for maximizing the potential of people both on and off the autism spectrum.

Karen Simmons

Chicken Soup for the Soul, Children with Special Needs

Everyone knows about “Chicken Soup for the Soul”, books filled with heart-warming stories that capture the essence of human beings being human. Since the cave man days, people have shared their life stories around the campfire. Stories are what connect us at the heart level and pass from generation to generation. “Chicken Soup for the Soul” is also one of the most well recognized and best-selling book series on the planet and has become ingrained in our hearts like stories from the bible.

Dr. Lauren Underwood

The Biosciences behind Autism: Explaining the Scientific Basis for Biomedical Interventions used for the Treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Fundamental basic medical sciences will be introduced and explained. This will include teaching some detailed biology (including cell biology), immunology and biochemistry, in order to provide parents and practitioners with a strong scientific foundation for understanding some of the exciting research that is unraveling in the field of autism research today. Some of the topics that will be discussed include digestion, digestion disorders, opioid-like peptides, yeast and bacterial overgrowth, immune system regulation, immune system dysregulation and dysfunction, antibodies and autoantibodies, oxidative stress, liver function, methylation, and transsulfuration and how these topics relate to some of the latest biomedical research developments for the treatment of autism.

Dr. Sheila Wagner

Presentation 1) Behavior analysis in inclusive classrooms: Asking the right questions, finding the right answers.

• This presentation will examine the process of behavior analysis for teachers that have students with autism spectrum in general education classes. This setting poses challenges that must be considered in light of this disability, zero tolerance and student needs. Too often, inconsistent behavior plans leave students and teachers confused as to why behaviors return. This lecture will identify the key components for analyzing the inappropriate behaviors and identify ways to improve student performance, increasing the likelihood for inclusion.

Presentation 2) Positive behavior plans: Examples of successful plans:

• This session will examine many examples of behavior plans that have proven successful for students with ASD in inclusive classrooms, from elementary to high school. In addition, this session will be interactive, with problem-solving behaviors solicited from the participants.