Description
One in every 150 babies born each year will have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). So, it is not surprising that autism is in the news daily. Come learn how some of these stories shape public opinion and how common beliefs about autism affect the pediatric practice. Esteemed professors, autism scientists, pediatricians and parents will help to clarify the science behind the news by presenting state-of-the-art, multimodal autism research, as well as strategies for interacting with families about this often controversial topic.
Among the topics to be discussed are the role of the pediatric practice in Early Identification of infants and toddlers at-risk for an ASD; the Neurobiology of ASD; State-of-the-art Treatment; and autism in the media, such as the recent ruling by the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for pediatricians and their staff
Needs Assessment
Pediatricians and medical office staff are among the only individuals, outside the family, to spend time with a child prior to school age. Behavioral symptoms of autism can be nearly undetectable to the average parent at such young age. However, through techniques described in this course, the medical office can better serve its patients and families of young children at-risk for ASD can be referred for evaluation and treatment prior to entering school, and in many cases, prior to the onset of full-blown symptoms.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Understand behavioral markers of an infant at-risk for an ASD
2. Employ best practices for early identification of at-risk infants
3. Discuss known biomarkers of autism and the trajectory of current research studies
4. Provide patients with the most current information about autism
Faculty & Planning Committee
Eric Courchesne, PhD- Professor and Director, UCSD, Autism Center of Excellence
Karen Pierce, PhD- Assistant Director, UCSD, Autism Center of Excellence
Cynthia Carter-Barnes, PhD- Research Psychologist, UCSD, Autism Center of Excellence
Pradeep Gidwani, MD, MPH, President, American Academy of Pediatrics, CA Chapter 3
Clelia Ahrens-Barbeau, B.S. Laboratory Manager, UCSD, Autism Center of Excellence
Nicole Gallagher, B.S., Staff Research Assistant, UCSD, Autism Center of Excellence
Schedule
9:30 Registration/Welcome
10:00 Discovering Novel Clinical Markers of Autism between the Ages of 12 and 24 Months
Karen Pierce, Ph.D., Assistance Director, UCSD Autism Center of Excellence, Research Scientist, Department of Neurosciences, UCSD.
10:45 Questions & Answers
11:00 The Autistic Brain: A Look Inside
Eric Courchesne, Ph.D., Director, UCSD Autism Center of Excellence, Professor, Department of Neurosciences, UCSD
11:45 Questions & Answers
NOON 1 hour break-- Lunch Provided
1:00 Diagnosing and Treating Autism Using State of the Art Tools
Cynthia Carter-Barnes, Ph.D., Research Psychologist, UCSD, Autism Center of Excellence
1:45 Panel Discussion: Contemporary Issues in Autism
San Diego pediatricians, psychologists, scientists, and parents of autistic children discuss the how autism is perceived through the media, what it means and how it affects the pediatric practice
3:00 Evaluations