Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Basic Science to Intervention

An Autism Symposium for the Community

INTRODUCTIONS  

8:00-9:00 a.m.             –          Registration & Breakfast

9:00-9:25 a.m.             –          Opening Remarks
                                                        Jennifer Raab, JD, President of Hunter College
                                                        Antonio M. Gotto Jr., MD, DPhil, Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College
                                                        Julianne Imperato-McGinley, MD, Director of the Weill Cornell Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC).

9:25-9:45 a.m.             –          Orientation and Overview
                                                        Michael Siller, PhD. & John Brown, PhD, Co-Directors of the Hunter College Autism Center
                                                        Joseph Higgins, MD & Barry Kosofsky, MD, PhD, Weill Cornell Autism Research Program

FOCUS AREA: CLINICAL EVALUATION

9:45-10:00 a.m.            –          Introductions and Overview
                                                        Tricia Striano, PhD: What Infants Have to Say About Autism
                                                        Mary J. Ward, PhD: How Autism is Diagnosed

10:00-10:20 a.m.          –          Expert Panel
                                                        Emily Forrest, MD: The Role of a Pediatrician in Screening for Autism
                                                        Kaleb Yohay, MD: The Role of the Neurologist in the Evaluation of Autism Spectrum Disorders
                                                        Jennifer Cross, MB, ChB: How to Access Services for Your Child With Autism Through Your Local Early Intervention Program
                                                        Paul Cascella, PhD: Tangible Object Symbols for an Adult with Intellectual Disability and Autism

10:20-10:30 a.m.         –          Question & Answer

10:30-10:50 a.m.         –          Break with coffee, snacks

FOCUS AREA: BASIC AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE

10:50-11:05 a.m.         –          Orientation and Overview
                                                        Joseph Higgins, MD: Genetic Fingerprints in Autism
                                                        Barry Kosofsky, MD, PhD: Current Focus and Findings in Autism Research on Brain Development

11:05-11:20 a.m.         –          Expert Panel: Genetics and Neuroimmunology
                                                        Anjali Rajadhyaksha, PhD: Calcium Signaling in Mouse Models of Autism 
                                                        Jason Dictenberg, PhD: Visualizing Synaptic Connections and Brain Circuits: A Means to Correcting Defects in Autism
                                                        Armin Alaedini, PhD: Gluten and Casein in Autism Spectrum Disorders

11:20-11:30 a.m.         –          Expert Panel: Translational Science
                                                        Barbara Hempstead, MD, PhD & Francis S.Y. Lee, MD, PhD: Alterations in BDNF Metabolism in ASD
                                                        Michelle MacRoy-Higgins, PhD: Electrophysiological Indices of Semantics and Syntax in Non-Verbal Children with Autism

11:30-11:40 a.m.         –          Question & Answer

11:40-12:00                 –          Break with coffee, snacks

FOCUS AREA: INTERVENTION

12:00-12:35 p.m.        –          Orientation and Overview
                                                        Shirley Cohen, PhD: Development of a Hunter College Focus on Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders
                                                        Michael Siller, PhD: Developmental Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

12:35-12:50 p.m.          –          Expert Panel
                                                        John Brown, PhD: Language Teaching for the Real World: Using Script Fading to Help People with Autism to Use Language
                                                        Angela Mouzakitis, PhD: Maintaining Treatment Integrity in Educational Programs for Children with Autism
                                                        Jamie Bleiweiss, PhD: A Context-based Approach to Assessment and Intervention of Interfering Behavior

12:50-1:00 p.m.            –          Question/ Answer

LUNCH MEET THE EXPERTS

1:20-2:30 p.m.            –          Room 1 "Ask About Assessments"
                                                Room 2 "Ask About Science"
                                                Room 3 "Ask About Interventions"

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

2:35-4:00 p.m.            –         Catherine Lord, PhD: Working with toddlers with ASD: Making diagnoses and measuring change.

AFTERNOON RECEPTION

4:15-5:15 p.m.            –         Wine, Cheese & Hors D'Oeuvres