SPEAKER BIOS AND PRESENTATIONS
Maranie Adams
Professional Background:
Maranie is a wife and mother of three sons. Her
youngest, Dean, is 13 and affected by autism. She has served as a
state representative for Unlocking Autism and is currently the
secretary/treasurer of the National Autism Association of
Mississippi. Maranie is employed as a tax preparation specialist and
has extensive knowledge regarding deductions related to autism and
its treatments and therapies.
Session Description:
Income taxes and Disabilities
Itemizing Deductions
Medical Expenses - What is allowable and what isn't?
Publication 502
Mileage, out of town stays, conferences and other often forgotten
deductions
Record Keeping
Tax changes for 2009
Timothy Adams
Timothy A. Adams, Esq. received his
Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine and
his Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of
Law. He has served as an adjunct professor and Associate
Director of the Special Education Advocacy Clinic, Pepperdine
University School of Law. He is actively involved in educating
parents through presentations to disability rights organizations
and parent support groups including speaker at Autism One
(2005-2009), the National Autism Association (2005 and
2007-2008) and the National Epilepsy Foundation Annual
Conference (2001). He has been interviewed and quoted in
publications including the Daily Journal (2001), the Orange
County Register and the nationally published magazine Parenting
(March 2003); He is Adams & Associates’ Chief Executive Officer.Session Description:
Special Education Law: Intensive
Training for Parents
See Workshop Description for
complete details.
Lynne Arnold
Professional Background:
Lynne Arnold is the coordinator of Talk About
Curing Autism (TACA) of Visalia, CA. Through conference
presentations and mentoring, she helps parents to understand
their child's rights to appropriate interventions and education.
Lynne is the editor of Autism: Asserting Your Child’s Rights to
a Special Education by David A. Sherman. She has presented at
Autism One (2005-2009), National Autism Association Conference
(2005 and 2007-2008), Families for Effective Autism Treatment
(FEAT), Autism Society of America and other autism groups.
Session Description:
Special Education Law: Intensive
Training for Parents
See Workshop Description for
complete details.
David Berger, MD, FAAP
 Professional
Background:
Dr. Berger is a
Board-Certified Pediatrician who specializes in holistic
pediatric primary care, nutritional and detoxification therapies
for autism, ADHD, and related disorders, and immune
dysregulation. He graduated from The Medical College of
Pennsylvania in 1994 and did his pediatric residency at the
University of South Florida. He started using holistic therapies
at the Tampa General Hospital Pediatric Clinic during his
residency. In private practice since 1997, in 2005 he opened
Wholistic Pediatrics in Tampa, Florida.
Session Description:
Autism, Vaccines and the
Florida Law
Dr. Berger’s lecture will be an
updated version of the presentation he gave to the Florida
Governor's Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders. As a result
of this presentation, he was asked by the Task Force to help
write legislation that, if passed, would strengthen the rights
of Florida parents in regards to how they choose to vaccinate
their children. He will review the studies that explain how the
relationship between Autism (and many other chronic medical
conditions) and vaccines is biologically plausible and is need
of further research. He will review the Florida vaccine laws and
exemptions, and an alternative/flexible vaccine schedule that
better addresses the needs of families in America will be
presented.
Russell Blaylock, MD
 Professional
Background:
Dr. Blaylock is a
board certified neurosurgeon, author and lecturer. He attended
the LSU school of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his
internship and neurosurgical residency at the Medical University
of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. For the past 24
years he has practiced neurosurgery in addition to having a
nutritional practice for 2 years. He retired from his
neurosurgical practice to devote full time to nutritional
studies and research.
Dr Blaylock has
written and illustrated three books. The first book was on the
subject of excitotoxins (Excitotoxins: The Taste That
Kills) and how they cause neurodegenerative diseases of
the nervous system. His second book, Health and Nutrition
Secrets That Can Save Your Life, covers the common basis
of all diseases, nutritional protection against diseases of
aging, protection against heavy metal toxicity, the fluoride
debate, pesticide and herbicide toxicity, excitotoxin update,
the vaccine controversy, protection against heart attacks and
strokes and contains a special section on nutritional protection
against terrorism. His third book, Natural Strategies for
The Cancer Patient, was released in April, 2003 and
discusses the ways to defeat cancer, enhance the effectiveness
of conventional treatments and prevent complications associated
with these treatments. In addition, he has written and
illustrated three chapters in medical textbooks, written a
booklet on nutritional protection against biological terrorism,
has an e-booklet on radioprotection (Nuclear Sunrise) and
has written and illustrated a booklet on multiple sclerosis. In
addition he has written over 30 scientific papers in
peer-reviewed journals.
He also has a DVD on
Nutrition % Behavior and a CD on the Truth About
Aspartame. For the past five years he has written a health
newsletter—The Blaylock Wellness Report, published by
NewsMax.
Since the publication
of his first book he has been a guest on over 100 syndicated
radio programs and appeared on the 700 Club seven times. He has
also appeared on the Your Health television program with
Dr Richard and Cindy Becker. He is does a monthly radio program
discussing his book, Health and Nutrition Secrets on
Raymond Francis’ program Beyond Health and a series of
radio programs in Radio Liberty with Dr. Stan Monteith...
He lectures widely to both lay and professional medical
audiences on a variety of nutritional subjects.
Dr. Blaylock is a
visiting professor of biology at Belhaven College and serves on
the editorial staff of the Journal of the American Nutraceutical
Association, the editorial staff of the Fluoride Journal and is
on the editorial staff of the Journal of American Physicians and
Surgeons, official journal of the Association of American
Physicians and Surgeons. He is also a regular lecturer for the
Fellowship for Anti-aging and Regenerative Medicine.
Session Description:
Dr.
Blaylock will discuss in detail the concept of
immunoexcitotoxicity, which I believe is the central mechanism
of the autism spectrum disorders. The link between peripheral
immune stimulation and immunoexcitotoxicity will be discussed
especially as regards the present vaccine schedule. This will
involve the pathophysiology of microglia and astrocytes.
Jeffrey Bradstreet, MD, FAAFP
Professional Background:
Dr. Bradstreet graduated from the University of South Florida
College of Medicine and received his residency training from
Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center. As a flight surgeon, he was
involved in aerospace medicine research, and has extensive
experience and training in environmental medicine and
toxicology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family
Physicians and a member of the American College of Toxicology.
He is involved in autism related outcome studies and
environmental research with the University of Washington and
UCLA and serves as a adjunct Professor of Child Development and
Neuroscience at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in
Tempe, Arizona. He has offices in Florida and Arizona and is
internationally recognized as a lecturer and researcher in
autism. His son, Matthew, is recovering from autism with the
combined help of biomedical and behavioral interventions.
Session Description:
Common Problems and Effective
Treatments
Adrienne Britt-Rousseau
Professional Background:
Adrienne is a founding board member of the National Autism
Association. As the mother of six wonderful children, she
enjoys the fast-paced life that comes along with that of her
primary role. Adrienne's professional career is in the
accounting field, as the Controller of Summit Chase Country Club
in Snellville, Georgia. Volunteering as a child advocate, parent
mentor, and conference speaker is another treasured role where
she is honored to serve families affected by autism and other
disabilities.
Session Description:
The Sensory Integration Lifestyle was written by Laurie
Johnson, OT; Adrienne Britt-Rousseau, a parent; and Xander
Rousseau, a child with autism and SI Dysfunction. This workshop
is a combination of a sensory modulation overview and functional
SI strategies for life. Do you need suggestions for an office,
home, school, or play setting? Find answers to your every day SI
questions from Adrienne and Xander.
Julie A. Buckley, MD,
FAAP
Professional Background:
Dr. Buckley is a pediatrician who developed an abiding interest in
Autism Spectrum Disorders when her daughter regressed into the world
of autism at four years of age. Her daughter’s dramatic recovery
ignited a passion for helping other families similarly affected. The
addition of mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy to her practice has
resulted in universally positive changes in children on the autism
spectrum. She maintains a unique practice in Ponte Vedra Beach,
Florida where neurotypical primary care pediatrics meets the DAN!
(Defeat Autism Now!) based approach to healing children on the
autism spectrum. In addition, she has developed a patented
antioxidant formula for peri-vaccination and peri-oxidative stress
use. She co-founded and is the Executive Director of AMEN! (Autism
Music Education Now!), a unique music education program being
piloted at her church. Dr. Buckley also co-founded and is President
of HEAL! (Healing Every Autistic Life!), a non-profit foundation
dedicated to Education about, Awareness of, Treatment for, Research
into, and Prevention of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is actively
involved in research, writing a book, and raising a family with the
help of a wonderfully supportive husband and mother.
Session Description:
Scientific evidence for the plausibility of
treating autism as a medical disease.
Doreen Granpeesheh, Ph.D., B.C.B.A.
Professional Background:
Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh is the Founder and Executive Director of the
Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) and President of the
Board of Autism Care and Treatment Today (ACT Today).
Dr. Granpeesheh received her Ph.D. in Psychology from UCLA and is
licensed by the Medical Board of California, the Texas State Board
of Psychologists and the Arizona State Board of Psychologist
Examiners.
Dr. Granpeesheh holds a Certificate of Professional Qualification in
Psychology from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology
Boards, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and has been
providing behavioral therapy since 1979.
In 1990, Dr. Granpeesheh founded The Center for Autism and Related
Disorders (CARD) and through its 17 offices worldwide, she has
provided diagnosis, assessment and behavioral treatment for
thousands of children with Autism and related disorders.
In 2005, Dr. Granpeesheh founded Autism Care and Treatment Today, a
non profit organization that provides support and funding to
families of children with Autism. In addition, Dr. Granpeesheh is
also a principle member of the Thoughtful House Center for Children,
a charity organization that provides behavioral services in
collaboration with medical treatment and research.
Dr. Granpeesheh is member of the Defeat Autism Now Executive
Council, on the Scientific Advisory Board of the US Autism and
Asperger’s Association and First Vice Chair of the National Board of
Directors of the Autism Society of America.
Session Description:
The Child as a Whole: Why behavioral and
biomedical interventions are both critical to growth and recovery.
Cindy L. Griffin, DSH-P,
DIHom., BME
Professional Background:
Cindy L. Griffin, DSH-P, DIHom., BME, is
co-owner of Homeopathy Center of Houston, and has been a
professional homeopath since 1998. She specializes in autism
spectrum disorders, but with a general practice has also seen
success with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, digestive and nervous
system disorders, Lyme disease, cancer and many other chronic
illnesses. Cindy continues to practice, write and teach about the
Houston Homeopathy method, is a Defeat Autism Now!(R) trained
alternative practitioner, as well as the mother of 3 adult children,
including a son who has recovered from Asperger’s Syndrome. She is
the Founder and Curriculum author for Houston School of Homeopathy,
and one of 5 professional homeopaths at Homeopathy Center of
Houston.
Session Description:
Sequential Homeopathy: Recovery for Children
with Autism
Houston Homeopathy Autism Specialists Cindy Griffin and Lindyl
Lanham will present compelling information about the benefits of
homeopathy for all children with autism. Recovered cases from their
files using a multi-approach homeopathic method will demonstrate
benefits seen by children with autism. Learn about: basics of what
homeopathy is; why children and families can all benefit from use of
homeopathy for true health and as an alternative for acute illness
and illness prevention; differences between homeopathic approaches.
Martha Herbert, M.D,
Ph.D.
 Professional
Background:
Dr. Martha Herbert is an Assistant Professor of
Neurology at Harvard Medical School, a Pediatric Neurologist at the
Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and an affiliate of the
Harvard-MIT-MGH Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging. She earned
her medical degree at the Columbia University College of Physicians
and Surgeons. Prior to her medical training she obtained a doctoral
degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz, studying
evolution and development of learning processes in biology and
culture in the History of Consciousness program, and then did
postdoctoral work in the philosophy and history of science. She
trained in pediatrics at Cornell University Medical Center and in
neurology and child neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital,
where she has remained.
Dr. Herbert is director of the TRANSCEND Research Program (Treatment
Research and Neuroscience Evaluation of Neurodevelopmental
Disorders), a collaborative program utilizing brain imaging
techniques that look at how the brain is structured and how it
processes information alongside of neuropsychological testing and
laboratory measures of body function. TRANSCEND is a research
platform for addressing the whole-body, whole-system physiological
level of changes in autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders,
emphasizing potential for improvement and targets for intervention.
This program is implementing the Department of Defense funded
“Multisystem Evaluation of Infants at Risk for Autism” study, also
known as the “Whole Baby Sibs Study.” Dr. Herbert also directs the
Treatment Guided Research Initiative of the Autism Society which is
developing infrastructure for community-wide data collection and
dissemination about behavioral, educational and medical ongoing
experiences in autism.
Session Description:
How much of autism can be explained by
chronic active biological processes?
Environmental factors affect brain development but the problem does
not stop there. Environmental exposures persist as body burden, they
continue to accumulate, and they have ongoing and active impacts on
metabolic and immune function at the subcellular, cellular, organ
and systems levels. Therefore autism is more than a developmental
disorder. The chronic and persistent features of autism include many
treatable features as well as a component of alteration of brain
development; the relative contributions of these different aspects
are virtually unevaluated, but responsiveness to treatment suggests
we have been underestimating the importance of chronic and
persistent contributors. It also challenges us to ask how much
damage is fixed and how much the mechanisms are dynamic, even if
stubborn. Understanding this aspect of autism further underscores
the importance of treatment, the importance of research oriented
toward environmental contributors and interventions and toward
optimization of health and brain plasticity, and the allocation of
major resources toward reducing unnecessary suffering. It also
highlights how often we see "circular thinking" in autism, where the
assumption that autism is fixed and hopeless biases research
priorities and interpretations of findings toward looking for fixed
impacts on early development, rather than promoting systematic
examination of our assumptions and aggressive search for things that
can be modulated after birth to improve outcomes.
 Jerry
Kartzinel, MD
Professional Background:
Dr Jerry Kartzinel is Board Certified
pediatrician and a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. He
specializes in the recovery of neurodevelopmental, chronic neuro-inflammatory
diseases, and hormonal dysfunctions. His practice is located in
Irvine, California.
After receiving his medical degree at St Louis University School of
Medicine, he completed his residency in pediatric medicine in the
Air Force. Following Desert Storm, Dr Kartzinel practiced general
pediatrics in private practice for 10 years until his fourth boy was
diagnosed with Autism.
A nationally recognized speaker and New York Times Best Selling
Author®, Dr. Kartzinel has presented medical interventions that work
to improve the lives of his patients who suffer from many types of
medical conditions that include: autism, allergies, inflammatory
bowel disease, chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, sleep cycle
disruptions, and hormonal imbalances. He regularly teaches
Continuing Medical Educations courses on children’s health issues to
physicians and other health professionals.
His clinical approach is to treat the whole patient by carefully
obtaining a full and complete history and based on this history,
obtaining very detailed laboratory evaluations. Individualized plans
are implemented integrating the very latest medical interventions
that include both traditional and complimentary medicine approaches.
Session Description:
Healing Autism
Dr Kartzinel will discuss many of the common medical problems that
children with Autism have that go largely ignored by the medical
community. This presentation is the “primer” course to help you
really understand not only what may be wrong with your child, but
also how you can start today, to begin to heal your child.
 David Kirby
Professional Background:
David Kirby is an investigative journalist and the author of
"Evidence of Harm - Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic:
A Medical Controversy"
Session Description:
Metals, Myelin and Mitochondria – Three Plausible Paths to ASD
David Kirby, author of the NY Times bestseller Evidence of Harm,
will discuss recent scientific and legal developments over the
past year or so that support the idea of a major role for
environmental factors in many cases of ASD -- especially
regressive autism. His talk will show how toxins and triggers
found in the natural environment, as well as ingredients in
certain vaccines, might combine with certain genetic
susceptibilities to create the symptoms we know of as ASD.
Specifically, Kirby will discuss how toxic metals, demyelinating
disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction – whether associated
with vaccines or not – might contribute to the rising number of
autism cases over the past decade or two. Along those lines, he
will discuss new government estimates of an ASD prevalence of
1-in-100 kids, or 1-in-60 boys. Kirby will also discuss the
potential implications of the XMRV retrovirus reportedly found
in some children with ASD. David Kirby’s new book, Animal
Factory – The Looming Threat of Industrial Pig, Dairy and
Poultry Farms to Humans and the Environment, will be released by
St. Martin’s Press on March 2, 2010.
Lindyl Lanham, DSH-P, BS SpEd
Lindyl Lanham, DSH-P, BS-Spec.Ed., is
co-owner and professional homeopath with Homeopathy Center of
Houston. She has been a professional homeopath since 2002, and
the focus of her practice has been on Tourette’s Syndrome and
ASD’s. She is the creator and moving force behind the Houston
Homeopathy Method for Autism, and continues to improve on the
method through research and clinical practice. She is a regular
speaker at many autism conferences, including Autism One and LIA.
The success of the Houston Homeopathy Method for Autism has
resulted in Homeopathy Center of Houston becoming the largest
and oldest homeopathic practice in the US to focus primarily on
autism. She is a Defeat Autism Now!(R) trained alternative
practitioner. She is the mother of two adult sons, one of whom
is recovered from Tourette Syndrome.
Session Description:
Sequential Homeopathy: Recovery for
Children with Autism
Houston Homeopathy Autism Specialists Cindy Griffin and Lindyl
Lanham will present compelling information about the benefits of
homeopathy for all children with autism. Recovered cases from
their files using a multi-approach homeopathic method will
demonstrate benefits seen by children with autism. Learn about:
basics of what homeopathy is; why children and families can all
benefit from use of homeopathy for true health and as an
alternative for acute illness and illness prevention;
differences between homeopathic approaches.
Roy Leonardi,
Ed.D.
Professional Background:
Antioch-New England Certificate in Autism
MA San Jose State University
M. Ed. & Ed. D. University of Vermont
Session Description:
De-Escalation Techniques to avoid Restraint
Barbara Loe
Fisher
 Professional
Background:
Barbara Loe Fisher is co-founder and
president of the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC).
She is co-author of the seminal book DPT: A Shot in the Dark
(Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 1985); author of The Consumer's Guide
to Childhood Vaccines (NVIC 1997) and Vaccines, Autism & Chronic
Inflammation: The New Epidemic (2008); editor of the bi-weekly
NVIC Vaccine E-Newsletter and a blogger at
www.VaccineAwakening.blogspot.com. The mother of three grown
children, her oldest son was left with multiple learning
disabilities and attention deficit disorder after a severe
reaction to his fourth DPT shot in 1980 when he was two and a
half years old. She graduated from the University of Maryland
with a degree in English and worked in community relations at a
large teaching hospital before becoming a Mom in 1978.
During the early 1980's, she helped launch a grassroots movement
to bring the issue of vaccine safety to public attention,
including leading demonstrations at the Centers for Disease
Control in Atlanta and the White House in 1986. Her 1985 book,
DPT: A Shot in the Dark, which she co-authored with Harris
Coulter, Ph.D., was the first major, well documented critique of
America's mass vaccination system calling for safety reforms and
the right to informed consent to vaccination.
For the past quarter century, Barbara has analyzed and publicly
articulated the major issues involving the science, policy, law,
ethics and politics of vaccination and is one of the world’s
leading non-medical, consumer advocacy experts on the subject.
She served on the National Vaccine Advisory Committee
(1988-1991); the Institute of Medicine Vaccine Safety Forum
(1995-1998) where she helped coordinate five public workshops on
vaccine safety issues; the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological
Products Advisory Committee (1999-2003); the Vaccine Policy
Analysis Collaborative (2002-2005); and is a member of the
Consumer’s United for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Cochrane
Collaboration – U.S. She has represented health care consumers
at many scientific workshops, government meetings and
congressional and state legislative hearings and is a featured
speaker at health care conferences.
Barbara has been quoted on the subject of vaccine safety and
informed consent to vaccination by national news sources
including theNew York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington
Post, USA Today, Time, and Newsweek. Since 1993, she has debated
more physicians on the subject of vaccination than any other
American, including five debates on NBC’s “Today Show;” as well
as debates on CNN, CBS, Fox, MSNBC and National Public Radio.
She has also appeared in vaccine news reports on CBS “Sunday
Morning News,” CBN “700 Club,” “ABC World News Tonight” ABC
“Nightline” and CBS “The Doctors.”
Several major articles she authored have contributed to national
dialogue about vaccine safety and informed consent, including
“Shots in the Dark” (The Next City Magazine 1999); “Smallpox and
Forced Vaccination: What Every American Needs to Know” (The
Vaccine Reaction 2001); “In the Wake of Vaccines” (Mothering
Magazine 2004); and co-authored with Mark Blaxill “The Atlanta
Manifesto: From Safety Last to Children First” (Age of Autism
Blog 2007).
Session Description:
The science, policy, law, ethics and
politics of vaccination. "Show Us the Science and Give Us
the Choice".
Phyllis Musumeci
Professional Background:
Phyllis is a parent advocate and mom of Christian. In 2005
Phyllis pulled her son out of 8th grade because she thought her
son was having a breakdown. A year later she found out that the
cause of Christian's mental breakdown was due to almost daily
restraint and seclusion for 2 years in the public school system.
Phyllis has spoken at 2 other conferences about the dangers of
restraint and seclusion, teaches other parents signs to look
for, is working on a state and federal level to get laws changed
to protect children with disabilities in the public school
system and is the founder of Families Against Restraint and
Seclusion.
Session
Description:
A Call to Action -
Elimination of Restraint, Seclusion and Aversives
What's been happening to our children in public school.
Signs to look for if you think you child is being restrained and
put into seclusion in the public school system.
What we've learned: Myths vs. Fact.
What you can do to make changes at a local and federal level.
Why we need a coalition.
Laura Marshak
Professional Background:
Dr. Laura Marshak is a professor in the
Department of Counseling at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
(Indiana, PA). In addition, she is a licensed psychologist and
founding partner of North Hills Psychological Services. As
psychologist, she specializes in working with individuals and
couples who are having coping with the intensified pressures of
raising children with a broad range of disabilities and/or illnesses
including autism spectrum disorders, developmental disorders, spina
bifida, childhood cancer, diabetes, bipolar illness and others. In
addition, she works with adolescents facing the additional
challenges of disability while embarking on a transition to
adulthood. Dr. Marshak is on the therapeutic advisory board of the
National Autism Association and the professional advisor of the
Friendship Circle, an inclusion group for children in Pittsburgh,
PA.
She has written six books on disability related topics and many
journal articles. In addition, she speaks nationally and
internationally on the topic of marriage and childhood disability.
She is married and has three sons. Dr. Marshak knows the topic of
family and disability both from a personal and a professional
perspective.
Session Description:
Protecting and improving marriages when raising
children with Autism
Dr. Laura Marshak, one of the authors of Married with Special-Needs
Children [a couple’s guide for staying connected] will discuss
handling the marital issues that often arise when parenting children
on the autism spectrum. Although some marriages thrive all too many
deteriorate. This session looks realistically at the common problems
faced by couples as well as a range of strategies for dealing with
resentment, disagreements over treatment and child rearing,
diminished sexual intimacy, lack of partner involvement, spousal
denial and vicious cycles that can break a marriage. In addition,
attention will be paid to strategies that strengthen marriages and
long-term relationships and some insights obtained from some of the
hundreds of couples who participated in the research for this book
as well as her work in the field of marital therapy. Questions will
be welcomed at the end of the session.
Julie Matthews
 Professional Background:
Julie Matthews is an internationally respected
autism nutrition specialist and Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!)
Practitioner for 7 years. She is the author of the award winning
book Nourishing Hope for Autism. Julie provides sound diet and
nutrition intervention guidance backed by scientific research and
applied clinical experience. Julie presents at the leading
biomedical autism conferences in the US and abroad, hosts multiple
radio programs, writes for autism publications, and teaches Cooking
To Heal autism cooking classes. She supports parents, nutritionists,
and physicians from her private practice in San Francisco.
Session Description:
Making Autism Diets Work: Healing Through
Nutrition
Most children who follow an autism diet see some improvement in
their health, overall well being, and behavior. Yet, most parents
haven’t tried dietary intervention or haven’t learned to implement
it effectively for their child. Common questions are:
Why do diet?
What if GFCF is not working?
How do I get good nutrition?
What if I have a picky eater?
Nourishing children is an important step to healing autism - food
and essential nutrients can improve their health and relieve
symptoms. Whether you’ve tried an autism diet in the past, are just
beginning, or consider yourself advanced, you will learn something
new from Julie. This session helps new parents get started right
away and provides those already following an autism diet advanced
understanding of nutrition, food choices, and healing principles.
Julie will give an overview of the diets discussed in the autism
community – including Gluten-free Casein-free (GFCF), Specific
Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), Body Ecology, Feingold, low oxalate, and
more. She’ll explain the scientific rationale for autism diets,
including underlying biochemistry, the gut-brain connection, and
autism as a whole body disorder. This workshop includes the
foundations of a healthy diet, making changes that work for the
whole family, and special suggestions for picky eaters. Julie will
discuss nutrient dense foods and aiding digestion, including the
concepts of broths, vegetables, grass-fed animal protein and fats,
soaking grains and seeds, and fermented and probiotic-rich foods.
Soma Mukhopadhyay
 Professional
Background:
Through her trademarked technique Soma® Rapid Prompting Method
(RPM), she has worked with over 800 clients in the United States and
10 other countries throughout the world. During the past 16 years,
she developed Soma® RPM to teach her own son Tito who is a published
author and poet (The Mind Tree, Gold of the Sunbeams, How can I talk
if my lip’s don’t move?) in spite of his autism.
Soma has students (youth to adult) with autism and
similar disorders at schools and organizations across the U.S. as
well as at her clinic ,HALO (Helping Autism through Learning &
Outreach) in Austin, Texas. She uses RPM to teach academics and
communication by eliciting responses through intensive verbal,
auditory, visual and/or tactile prompts. Her prompting is designed
to keep students focused and successful. Soma's approach presumes
competence and comprehension at age level, and it is a very low-tech
method requiring only paper and pencil. Student responses evolve
from picking up answers, to pointing, to typing and writing which
reveals students' comprehension, academic skills and eventually,
conversation. Soma’s unique
personality, intellect and style as well as the unprecedented
success of her teaching has garnered attention of major media
including: CNN International, 60 Minutes II, BBC, PBS,
The New York Times, National Geographic
and Scientific American.
Soma’s long awaited manual “Understanding Autism through Rapid
Prompting Method” which defines this ground breaking method, is
available now . Presently Cornell University’s research on the
efficacy of the “Rapid Prompting Method” is nearing completion and
results are expected early Fall 2009.
Session Description:
Using the Rapid Prompting Method To teach Academics and
Communication
This presentation will provide initial exposure and a basic
understanding of Soma Rapid Prompting Method(RPM) Soma RPM is an
individualized learning program. While the subject matter may follow
classical textbook materials for general education, the
implementation of teaching is different and individualized. The
teaching is geared toward engaging the student through the students
primary and secondary learning channels. This innovative and
neurologically based method was developed by Soma Mukhopadhyay.
Participants will view many video clips detailing how to implement
RPM appropriately, as well as describing the different types of open
learning channels of students.
Gary Null, Ph.D.
 Professional
Background:
Time magazine called him "The New Mr. Natural." My Generation
magazine dubbed him one of the top health gurus in the United
States. For over three decades, Gary Null has been one of the
foremost advocates of alternative medicine and natural healing.
A multi award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling
author, Dr. Null has written over 70 books on nutrition,
self-empowerment and public health issues, including his most
recent, Power Aging. His syndicated public radio show, Natural
Living with Gary Null, earned 21 Silver Microphone Awards and is the
longest-running, continuously aired health program in America (27
years).
Gary Null holds a Ph.D. in human nutrition and public health
science. He has been a consistent voice on how to live a longer,
more vital life through work that embraces the body, mind and
spirit. Gary believes that much of what our society accepts as
inevitable markers of aging are actually manifestations of a
preventable disease process. Gary's philosophy has influenced
countless Americans to achieve a healthier, more fulfilling
lifestyle. He is also the author of the New York Times bestsellers,
Get Healthy Now! and The Encyclopedia of Natural Healing.
As a documentary filmmaker, Gary has achieved critical acclaim. He's
produced over 20 films and videos on health and nutrition topics,
including the following award-winning productions: Age Is Only A
Number; Overcoming Depression and Anxiety Disorders Naturally (for
which he received a coveted Gold CINDY [Cinema In Industry] Award);
Deconstructing The Myth of AIDS (winner of the Audience Award for
Best Documentary at both the New York and Los Angeles International
Independent Film and Video Festivals); Fatal Fallout (winner of both
Best Director and Best Documentary awards at the New York
International Independent Film and Video Festival) and Drugging of
Our Children (Winner of 2005 Best Documentary at World Houston
International Film Festival and Key West Indy Fest).
Session Description:
Gary Null will host a screening of his latest award-winning
documentary, "Autism Made in the USA" on Friday evening in the
Amphitheatre. For more information on the film, visit
http://autismmadeintheusa.com
Mitchel D. Perlman, Ph.D.
Professional Background:
Mitchel D. Perlman, Ph.D., focuses on the
assessment and treatment of children and adolescents who have
specialized needs and/or who are involved in
chaotic-intense-traumatic-critical situations. Known for the
comprehensiveness of his investigatory assessments (psychodiagnostic,
psychoeducational, neurocognitive), Dr. Perlman is often called on
to be the impartial independent examiner in juvenile, family, civil
and special education proceedings. He lends his expertise and keen
insights to children/teens who have stepped away from the mainstream
and/or who have gotten themselves in over their heads – emotionally,
legally or in relation to others. He is involved in assessing some
of the most fascinating individuals, and he has a knack for
detecting and/or explaining things that have often gone unnoticed or
that have been misunderstood. For example, in many children who had
been diagnosed with autism and mental retardation, Dr. Perlman has
found near-gifted to gifted intelligence and has been instrumental
in guiding parents to the resources to unlock it.
Session Description:
Special Education Law: Intensive Training
for Parents
See Workshop Description for complete
details.
 Ryan
Platt
Professional Background:
Ryan understands that life does not
always go as planned. As a Senior at Wake Forest University he
became quite ill and was in danger of not living to see graduation.
After time spent in two hospitals and then at home, he did recover
and did graduate (1996). However, it was that experience that
shaped his conviction for the L.I.F.E.™ Planning Process. Although
it is impossible to know when our last day will come, we all have
the ability to define our needs and desires for our family and take
action to secure their L.I.F.E.™
After completing his MBA in 2003, Ryan
decided to continue his education, while building his practice, in
the area of Special Needs Planning. Ryan completed his Special Care
Planner Certification in 2005 at the American College in Bryn Mawr,
PA. This program provides advanced training in estate and tax
planning, special needs trusts, government programs, and the
emotional dynamics of working with people with disabilities and
other special needs and their families. Ryan combined his education
with his experience to create A Special Needs Plan.
Ryan lives in Concord, NC with his
beautiful wife, 2 precious little boys, and 1 year old baby girl.
Ryan serves proudly as a Board Member for The Arc of Mecklenburg
County, and was awarded the 2009 Arc Angel of the Year.
Session Description:
Empowering
Families as They Navigate the Financial, Legal, & Government
Landscape in order to Ensure Their Loved One’s Future
Topics will include how to assemble an effective plan including
guardianship, special needs trust, wills, proper utilization of
government benefits, asset positioning and proactive tax strategies,
defining the needs of your loved one, and funding the plan. Ryan
will guide you as you think through the 4 Steps of Creating a solid
L.I.F.E.™ Plan.
 Dan Rossignol, MD, FAAFP
Professional Background:
Dr. Rossignol received his Doctorate of Medicine at the Medical
College of Virginia and completed his residency in family medicine
at the University of Virginia. He is a physician at the
International Child Development Resource Center (ICDRC) in
Melbourne, FL. The father of two children with autism, ages eight
and six, he has written several papers, including four on the use of
hyperbaric treatment in autism, one on the use of urinary porphyrins
data in autism, one on mitochondrial dysfunction in autism, and a
review article on evidence-based treatments for autism.
Session Description:
How to assess and prioritize treatments:
Using evidence-based medicine to choose effective treatments for
autism and ADHD
As a parent of a child with autism or ADHD, the number of available
treatments appears endless. Dr. Rossignol will discuss the concept
of using evidence-based medicine to choose effective treatments for
children with autism and ADHD. He will focus mainly on treatments
that have proven effectiveness compared to a placebo and will review
treatments for attention, concentration, hyperactivity,
self-stimulatory behavior, irritability, aggression, self-injury,
expressive and receptive language, sleep, social interaction, eye
contact, toe-walking, coordination, and seizures. This lecture will
help parents establish a plan to individualize treatments for their
child using proven treatments, in conjunction with the child’s
physician.
Seizures and autism: From diagnosis to
treatment
Recent evidence has implicated seizure activity in as many as 60-80%
of children with autism. In some cases, this seizure activity can be
a substantial factor contributing to the behaviors of autism and can
impede progress. Dr. Rossignol will discuss common symptoms
associated with seizure activity as well as testing, including EEG,
MEG, and SPECT scans. He will also review treatments such as
nutritional supplements, diet, and medications. The concepts of
“subclinical seizures” as well as Landau-Kleffner variant will also
be discussed.
Susan Swedo, MD
Professional Background:
Dr. Swedo received her B.A. degree from
Augustana College in 1977 and her M.D. from Southern Illinois
University in 1980. Shortly after completing a residency in
pediatrics at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, Dr.
Swedo was named Chief of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the
University. The following year, she moved to Washington D.C. and
became a senior staff fellow in the Child Psychiatry Branch, NIMH.
Dr. Swedo was granted tenure in 1992, became Head of the Section on
Behavioral Pediatrics in 1994, and Chief of the Pediatrics and
Developmental Neuropsychiatry Branch in 1998. She also served as the
Acting Scientific Director for NIMH from 1995 through 1998. Dr.
Swedo recently received the Joel Elkes International Research Award
from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Her laboratory
studies childhood-onset obsessive compulsive disorder and related
disorders, including Tourette syndrome and Sydenham chorea.
Session Description:
NIMH Autism Research Program - Discovering the
Causes & Cures of Autism and Conducting Meaningful "Until Then"
Research
This lecture will have a focus on PANDAS - Pediatric Autoimmune
Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections.
Theoharis C.
Theoharides, Ph.D., M.D.
 Professional Background:
Dr. Theoharides is a Professor of Pharmacology,
Internal Medicine and Biochemistry; Director of the Laboratory for
Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery, Tufts Medical Center, Boston,
MA. He has ongoing research
interests in four related areas: (a) molecular events involved in
mast cell stimulus-response coupling in allergic reactions and in
the pathophysiology of inflammatory disorders: atopic dermatitis,
arthritis, coronary artery disease, as well as in interstitial
cystitis/chronic prostatitis, migraine headaches and multiple
sclerosis for which Dr. Theoharides' group has developed in vivo and
in vitro models; (b) the ability of mast cells to release some of
their mediators, especially cytokines, selectively that may explain
how they participate in inflammation; moreover, selective release of
angiogenesis factors may help explain the high number of mast cells
around tumors, such as breast carcinoma and melanoma; (c) the role
of mast cells in mediating the effect of stress by responding to
corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), or its analogue urocortin (Ucn),
with cytokine release, as well as secretion of CRH and Ucn; (d) the
regulation of the expression, identification of the phosphorylated
sites, as well as molecules that increase and sustain the
phosphorylated state of a 78 kDa mast cell phosphoprotein he and his
associates have cloned. In its phosphorylated state, this protein
inhibits mast cell secretion and proliferation; select compounds
could serve as anti-allergic/anti-inflammatory drugs, and possibly
anticancer agents. Dr. Theoharides has numerous patents and is
interested in using natural molecules in food supplements for the
treatment of allergic/inflammatory and malignant conditions (Related
web site: Algonot.com). He is also interested in drug and biomedical
research policy. He has served as the Clinical Pharmacologist of the
Massachusetts Drug Formulary Commission continuously since 1986; he
has also served on the Supreme Health Council, of the Ministry of
Health, the HealthCare Board of the Ministry of Labor and Human
Resources and the National Drug Organization of the Hellenic
Republic.
Session Description:
Increased oxidative stress and immune
dysregulation are present in ASDs. Mast cell activation may
contribute to gut-blood-brain-barrier disruption and brain
inflammation. This lecture will discuss the critical role of mast
cells in neuro-inflammatory diseases, their related biomarkers in
autism and therapeutic targets.
Anju Usman, MD
Professional Background:
Dr. Usman is director of True Health Medical Center in
Naperville, Illinois. She specializes in the treatment of
biochemical imbalances in children with ADD and Autism. She has
been involved in research involving copper/zinc imbalances,
metallothionein dysfunction, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and
chronic infections in ASD patients. She is actively involved in
the Defeat Autism Now (DAN) movement as a speaker and
researcher. Her treatment philosophy is discussed in the book
“Healing the New Childhood Epidemics” by Dr. Ken Bock. Dr. Usman
received her medical degree from Indiana University. She
completed a residency in Family Practice at Cook County
Hospital, in Chicago, Illinois and is board certified in Family
Practice. Session Description:
Apraxia and Autism
Patients with autism are often diagnosed with verbal apraxia as
well.
A recent study highlights a specific subset of patients with
allergy,
apraxia, malabsorption, and hypotonia who dramatically responded
to vitamin E and PUFA supplementation. Understanding the issues
of oxidative stress, phospholipid methylation, mitochondrial
dysfunction
and malabsorption can help us develop a working theory of
helping
patients with language and motor planning delays.
 Andrew J. Wakefield, MD
Professional Background:
Dr Wakefield is an academic gastroenterologist. Trained as a GI
surgeon and experimental gastroenterologist in London and Toronto.
Published widely on inflammatory bowel disease and latterly, autism
and its links to intestinal disease.
Session Description:
Aspects of Vaccine Safety Testing
Theresa Wrangham Professional Background:
Theresa Wrangham is the mother of a young adult woman recovering
from PDD/NOS. She lives in Colorado with her husband, Scott and
daughters Rachel and Deanna. She brings to the fore an experienced
parent's perspective on raising a healthy child affected by ASD and
the benefits of advocacy outside family needs. Theresa was appointed
to the Board of SafeMinds in 2007 and currently serves as president.
She served as a past Board Member with the Autism Society of
Colorado and co-founded the Autism Society of Boulder County (ASBC),
serving five terms as president. During her tenure with ASBC,
Theresa coordinated Colorado's first behavioral and biomedical
conference in Colorado, spearheaded Colorado's legislative efforts
to ban mercury containing vaccines and successfully collaborated
with other state agencies to create treatment programs for autistic
individuals not included in state-funded programs, as well as
influenced legislation within the state of Colorado. Theresa has
been interviewed by local and national media regarding autism and
was honored in 2006 by the Boulder County Business Report as a
Health Care Hero.
Session Description:
Targeted Research Brings Hope For The Future!
Ms. Wrangham’s presentation will cover topics that include the role
of research in gaining access to treatment, an update on vaccine
research, update on autism related legislation, a parent’s
perspective on getting healthy outcomes and treatment progress and
the role of advocacy in funding targeted research.
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