Experts To Share Insights On The Potential For Emotional And Social Functioning In Children With Autism And Special Needs

Leading experts on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and child development will discuss new advances in the identification, treatment, education, and family dynamics of autism and associated disorders, at the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders' (ICDL) 12th Annual Conference on Nov. 7-9 in Tyson's Corner, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C.

Speakers at the 12th Annual Conference will include internationally renowned experts, including child psychiatrist Stanley Greenspan, pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton, bioethicist Glenn McGee, and over 50 other researchers and clinicians in the areas of neuroscience, pediatric medicine, developmental psychology, mental health, communication and language development.

The conference, titled "Redefining the Potential for Emotional and Social Functioning in Children with Autism and Special Needs," will include panel discussions on a wide range of issues presented in 13 plenary sessions and 33 concurrent seminars. Plenary sessions include:

- New Research on Social and Emotional Gains and Changes in Brain Functioning in Children with Autism and Special Needs
- New Insights into identifying and Treating Medical Conditions Associated with ASD
- A Bioethical Approach to Overcoming Problems with Behavior and Aggression in Education of Children with ASD

As in past years, ICDL will offer pre-conference workshops on Thursday, November 6th, on Sensory Organization, Representing Cognition in DIR®, Floortime™ for Novice Players, The Affect-Based Language Curriculum (ABLC), The DIR® and IEP Goal Bank, Communication Through the DIR® Lens: A Toolkit of Ideas and Strategies, Medication in the Treatment of Developmental and Learning Disorders, DIR® Programs for Preschool and Elementary Age Children, and Using the DIR® Approach in Feeding Therapy.

Hundred of professionals and parents are currently registered to attend the conference, and spaces are still available. To view the full brochure or register, visit http://www.icdl.com.

The conference takes place amid growing concern about the increase in autism and related disorders in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now estimates that 1 in 150 children in the United States have autism, a much higher rate than previously reported. Nearly 17 percent of U.S. children are diagnosed with developmental challenges that require early identification and preventive interventions, yet fewer than half are identified as having a problem before starting school. A new framework developed by the CDC and ICDL is aimed at identifying children at risk and facilitating early intervention and treatment, and will be presented at the conference.


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Natasha Labbe
Web Master & e-Marketing Associate
Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders