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 2010
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. David 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, and in 2010 he was
appointed Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida
College of Nursing.
Session Description:
Introduction to Biomedical Therapies
Dr Berger will present a
treatment-focused lecture that will review some of the main
biomedical therapies utilized in Autism and related disorders.
Strategies to support or correct abnormalities in the four main
systems that appear to be affected in Autism (neurologic,
intestinal, immune and metabolic) will be discussed.
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:
False Realities in Autism: the Myth of Randomized
Placebo-Controlled Trials, and Therapeutic Misconceptions.
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:
TBA
Susan Ellis
 Professional
Background:
Susan Ellis is the co-founder of The TV
Teacher, LLC and the mother of two children with special needs (her
10-yr. old son was diagnosed with Autism at 3 ½ ). Susan is an avid
user and advocate of video modeling and video resources for children
on the Autism Spectrum. Motivated by the breakthroughs she made with
her son through video modeling in 2005, she has produced and
directed award-wining handwriting programs that are now used by
parents, teachers, and therapists across the country. Susan has been
interviewed by CNN, NBC, CBS, FOX and syndicated radio stations.
Session Description:
Making Breakthroughs! Using video modeling
and other visual resources to help your child succeed.
This presentation will explain the power of video modeling with
children on the autism spectrum, and teach you how to create your
own teaching tools at home using video modeling. She will share
simple and fun techniques on how you can help make your child’s
challenges into accomplishments-- self-help, academic, and social
skills will all be addressed. Susan will also discuss opportunities
to enhance your child’s school curriculum using video resources and
creating successful visual strategies.
Michael & Moira
Giammatteo
 Professional
Background:
Michael and Moira Giammatteo are the proud
parents of Vico (13 – ASD) and Culzean (10 – NT) and have been
involved with Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) since its inception.
Moira has presented on such topics as Implementing the GFCF diet,
Beginning Biomedical Intervention, Traditional Therapies for ASD and
runs the TACA San Fernando Valley chapter. She has spoken at TACA
Seminars and other conferences and support group meetings all over
Southern California. Michael has spoken on the subject of autism
from a Dad’s perspective at support group meetings, conferences and
TACA’s annual leadership conference. Michael acts as Regional Dad’s
Support for TACA as well as moderating the TACA-DAD’s Yahoo Group.
Michael is the creator of the award winning TeamVico CD series in
which the tempo of children’s songs are slowed down so that those
with speech delay can sing along.
Session Description:
By now you have heard about the high divorce
rate in families with autism. Find out what the studies say and what
to do about it. Michael and Moira Giammatteo are two veteran parents
who can give practical, from the trenches advice about keeping your
marriage alive after diagnosis. Included is information and advice
from a family counselor, the inside scoop of what moms are saying
and what dads need to know, plus a dad’s perspective on how to stay
involved and remain sane while doing it.
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.
Session Description:
The Child as a Whole: Why behavioral and
biomedical interventions are both critical to growth and recovery.
Devin Houston, PhD
Professional Background:
Dr. Houston obtained his doctorate in biochemistry from the
University of South Alabama College of Medicine. His graduate
work focused on enzyme discovery, and subsequent research at
University of Virginia and Saint Louis University focused on
enzymatic mechanisms involved in cellular communication. Dr.
Houston followed his academic career with several years of
research and development in enzyme manufacturing. This lead to
his discovery of DPP-IV in certain enzyme blends and the
eventual invention of the first proteolytic enzyme product
targeted for those with autism. Dr. Houston then formed his own
companies, Houston Nutraceuticals, Inc. and Houston Enzymes, in
order to continue further development of novel enzyme products.
Dr. Houston spends much of his time educating the public about
enzymes and speaks at no cost at autism conferences and support
groups. Session Description:
Enzymes and Food
Intolerances
The primary goal of digestion is to reduce bulk foods to the
simplest elements: amino acids, sugars, and fatty acids. When
digestion is impaired the breakdown of foods may be incomplete.
Incomplete digestion of proteins leads to production of
bioactive peptides. Some of these peptides may be problematic in
certain populations, especially those with immune system
problems or food allergies. Those with autism are also prone to
these same problems. The use of acid-stable digestive enzyme
products provides a mechanism whereby proteins may be safely and
completely digested prior to the point of absorption from the
gut. For those with "food intolerances," today's enzyme products
may provide relief. In the very near future, specific protease
enzymes may potentially be approved treatments for diseases such
as celiac.
LorRainne Jones, Ph.D.
Professional Background: LorRainne Jones, is a licensed
speech-language pathologist with a Ph.D. in education. She is
the author of The Source for Expressive Language Delay and has
over 30 years experience working with children and adults with
autism. As coordinator for Curriculum, Research, and Training at
a school district in Michigan, Dr. Jones was the editor of a
comprehensive ABA based curriculum for children with autism and
other developmental disabilities. Later, as the clinical
coordinator of the Language and Cognitive Development Program at
the University of South Florida, Dr. Jones was responsible for
training staff and parents in the use of an intervention
program, later called Verbal Behavior Therapy, which utilized
ABA principles to help nonverbal children, including children
with autism, rapidly acquire speech and cognitive skills. Dr.
Jones is presently director of Kid Pro Therapy Services in Tampa
and specializes in teaching speech to nonverbal children with
autism or who are at risk for a diagnosis of autism. Dr. Jones
lectures and consults nationally and internationally. Session
Description:
Teaching Speech to Nonverbal Children with Autism The
development of intervention methods that result in 90% of
children with ASD acquiring spoken language in one of the long
term goals identified by the National Institutes of Health's
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. Verbal Behavior
Therapy (VBT), developed by Philip Drash, Ph.D., BCBA, is an
evidenced based approach that incorporates methodology which has
been used successfully for over 30 years with nonverbal children
with autism. In addition to teaching speech to nonverbal
children, the program includes subsequent systematic instruction
focusing on the development of cognitive skills. This
presentation will review the research and methodology associated
with Verbal Behavior Therapy as an intervention with non-verbal
children with autism.
Michael Linden, Ph.D.
Professional Background:
Dr. Michael Linden is a licensed Clinical
Psychologist, a licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapist, and a
Nationally Certified Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Therapist. Dr.
Linden has been the director of ADD Treatment Centers at Mission
Psychological Consultants three locations in San Juan Capistrano,
Irvine, and Carlsbad since 1988 and is now the director of the NEW
Attention Learning Centers. He has specialized in the assessment and
treatment of children/adolescents/adults with ADD and Autistic
Spectrum Disorder since 1982. Dr. Linden received his Bachelors
degree form the University of Miami in Psychology with Honors. After
completing his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from California
School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, he completed a
Post-Doctoral Fellowship at UC Irvine Child Development Center.
In 1990, Dr. Linden won the “Outstanding Research Award’ given by
the Biofeedback Society of California, and in 1993, Dr. Linden was
awarded the “Outstanding Research Award” from the Association of
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. His studies using EEG
Biofeedback with children with ADD as an alternative to medication
yielded promising results and have been featured in the LA times,
Orange County Register, and has been aired on specials on the Today
Show, NBC Dateline, Channel 7 ABC News, KOCE PBS TV, Channel 4 NBC
News, NBC special: “Autism: The Hidden Epidemic”, and most recently
on CBS “The Doctors”. Dr. Linden published the first well controlled
study of Neurofeedback with children with ADD in the Journal of
Biofeedback and Self-Regulation in 1996 ; his QEEG assessment
studies were published in The Journal of Neurofeedback Therapy in
1996 and in The Journal of Neuropsychology in 1999 and in 2001. He
has recently discovered 6 subtypes of Autism & 2 types of Aspergers
based on QEEG Map research, which has greatly improved the success
of Neurofeedback and other treatments for ASD (Journal of Applied
Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, In Press). Dr. Linden is a
frequent speaker to both medical professionals and the community all
over the world.
[Dr. Linden has been leading Parent ADD/Autistic Spectrum Disorder
support groups and adult ADD support groups at Mariners and
Saddleback Churches in Orange County, California since 1993. He also
is the father of teenage twins who are active in the community.]
Session Description:
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.
Dan Olmsted
 Professional
Background:
Dan Olmsted wrote The Age of Autism columns for
United Press International, and now is an independent journalist
focusing on autism and related issues. He was an original staff
member and assistant national editor at USA Today, and joined UPI in
1999, where he held a variety of editing positions in addition to
writing 113 AOA columns from 2005 to 2007. The Columbia Journalism
Review called his columns "some of the most enterprising
contributions" to the autism debate. They led to legislation pending
in Congress to study the autism rate in never-vaccinated American
children, and to a $200,000 study by Generation Rescue that found a
significantly lower rate of neurological disorders, including
autism, in that population.
Session Description:
TBA
Roya Ostovar, Ph.D.
Professional Background:
In addition to running her own private practice Ostovar
Psychology, Dr. Roya Ostovar is a clinical instructor in
Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the fellowship and
training program director of The Center for Neurodevelopmental
Services. Dr. Ostovar is the Director of The Center for
Neurodevelopmental Services (CNS) at McLean Hospital, an
innovative program which provides services to individuals with
Autism Spectrum Disorders. McLean Hospital is a major
teaching facility of Harvard Medical School and maintains the
largest program of research in neuroscience and psychiatry of
any private psychiatric hospital in the United States. Dr.
Ostovar is also the Director of Neuropsychology Services at The
Lurie Family Autism Center -- an interdisciplinary program
designed to provide services in the evaluation and treatment of
children and adults with autism, pervasive developmental
disorder and related disorders.
Session Description:
Strategies to Help Children with Sensory Processing Disorder
It is estimated that 40 to 88% of children with Autism
experience symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Dr.
Ostovar will describe Sensory Processing Disorder and outline
the developmental and behavioral clues, signs, and red flags
that help alert parents, educators, and clinicians. She will
help the audience to understand SPD in a completely new light,
as a form of chronic stress and how it affects the child's
learning, behaviors, self-esteem, and day-to-day functioning.
Understanding the child's behavior as a form of communication is
a key aspect of this presentation. Dr. Ostovar will present
insightful, simple, and practical strategies for helping
children with SPD at home and in the classroom. Available
therapies are described and real case examples are provided to
further demonstrate the key points.
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.
 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 nine and
seven, 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:
Identifying the biochemical fingerprint of
autism: Implications for testing and treatments
Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that autism is often
characterized by underlying problems such as oxidative stress,
mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, certain genetic
abnormalities, exposure(s) to environmental toxicants, immunological
abnormalities, infections, and in some cases, developmental
regression and seizures. These abnormalities may contribute to the
symptoms of autism, such as sleep problems, obsessive behavior,
speech delay, impaired social interaction, self-stimulatory
behavior, hyperactivity, inattention, and abnormal gastrointestinal
findings. Each child with autism has a unique mixture of these
abnormalities and may possess some or all of these problems
simultaneously. The early identification of these abnormalities
helps clinicians and parents to choose the most effective
treatments. This presentation will focus on testing to identify the
unique biochemical abnormalities that a child possesses (e.g., the
biochemical fingerprint) and how to choose the most effective
treatments for these abnormalities using evidence-based medicine
principles.
Chief Gene Saunders
Professional Background:
Chief Gene Saunders is the Founder and CEO of
Project Lifesaver International. He has served on a volunteer
basis for 15 years as the Chief of Search and Rescue, Chesapeake, VA
Sheriff's Office. He retired as Captain of the Chesapeake
Police Department after 33 years of service.
He and his wife Jeanne have 4 children and 6
grandchildren.
Session Description
TBA
Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt
Professional Background:
Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt is a staff attorney with
the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Tj is a
homeschool graduate and was taught at home for over 9 years. After
finishing law school, Tj came to work at HSLDA as a legal assistant
and then as a full time attorney. Tj is currently licensed in
California. Tj’s wife Susan was also homeschooled and she is
the main homeschool teacher to their four children; Josiah, Suzanna,
Ella, and Makenna.
Session Description:
Thinking about teaching your child at home but
not sure? Do you want to know more about homeschooling and how you
can legally do it? Tj Schmidt, a staff attorney with the Home School
Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) will cover these issues and much
more. Tj will cover the benefits of homeschooling your child at home
and provide a wealth of information about why you might want to
consider this educational option for you and your child. Tj will
also discuss practical issues you need to be aware of as a parent of
a child with autism and how you can go about beginning your
homeschool program with the minimum difficulties. This discussion
will also cover you legal rights concerning special educational
services from the public school system while homeschooling.
Chantal Sicile-Kira
 Professional
Background:
Chantal Sicile-Kira, is an award-winning
author, speaker and autism advocate known for her practical advice
on raising teenagers and the transition to adulthood. Her son
Jeremy, severely impacted by autism, graduated from high school in
2010 with a GPA of 3.75. Chantal was appointed by the California
Senate Select Committee on Autism & Related Disorders to serve as
Co-Chair, South Counties Autism Regional Taskforce. Chantal
dispenses guidance and information on her webinars and in her books:
Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum,
Autism Life Skills, and 41 Things to Know About Autism. For more
information, go to
www.chantalsicile-kira.com
Session Description:
Adolescents On the Autism Spectrum
Adolescence is a difficult time for everyone, neurotypical or not,
as a person transitions from being a child to a young adult. To
become as independent in adulthood as possible, teenagers of all
different ability levels must learn self-care, appropriate
behaviors, modesty and sexuality. Areas to be covered include:
explaining about puberty and changing bodies, hygiene and self-care
and how to problem-solve difficulties in teaching self-care
routines, and what to do about masturbation. For safety reasons and
in preparation for adulthood, all teenagers need to learn about
relationship boundaries, and sexuality.
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 biomedical
treatment of children with ADD, Autism, Allergies, and
Gastrointestinal issues. She has conducted research in
copper/zinc imbalances, metallothionein dysfunction, hyperbaric
oxygen therapy, and chronic infections in ASD patients. Dr.
Usman is actively involved in the “Defeat Autism Now!” movement
as a speaker and researcher. She is cofounder of ACE (Autism
Center for Enlightenment) a non-profit dedicated to education,
research and support for families seeking biomedical
interventions. Dr. Usman received her medical degree from
Indiana University and completed a residency in Family Practice
at Cook County Hospital, in Chicago, Illinois. She is board
certified in Family Practice. Session Description:
Autism and the
Autonomic Nervous System
Patients with
autism are in a state of chronic stress. This stress causes a
particular arm of the autonomic nervous system to be turned on or
activated. When chronically turned on the sympathetic nervous system
can cause symptoms such as hyperactivity, anxiety, attention and
focus difficulties. A chronic fight or flight response to stress can
also lead to medical issues such as impaired gastrointestinal
motility, immune dysregulation, and hormonal imbalances. These
issues can be identified and addressed with proper testing, good
nutrition, targeted nutraceuticals, and adaptogenic herbs.
 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:
TBA |
