CONFERENCES
Families with Autism Helping Families with Autism
Sessions
Lauren Underwood, PhD
Biomedical and Behavioral Therapies Together: A Best Practice Model for Treating Autism
A best practice is a technique, method, or process that is believed to be more effective at achieving a particular outcome. Behavioral as well as biomedical approaches have individually been established as effective modalities for treating children with autism. However, optimization of best possible successful outcomes can be achieved when these interventions are implemented together, as a joint behavioral-biomedical treatment.
This model suggests that if indicated, biomedical interventions should be utilized concurrently with behavioral therapies, in an attempt to stabilize the child's medical conditions so that an overall improved state of health is achieved. By doing so, a healthier, happier child is more responsive to therapy; the child's learning potential is maximized, thereby increasing their receptiveness and consequently their acquisition of skills.
An overview explaining the synergy between these treatment modalities will be presented which support the application of this best practice model for treating autism.
Anju Usman, MD
The Gut-Brain-Immune Connection
Autism is becoming recognized as a neuro-immune-inflammatory condition, a medical condition that affects the brain instead of a mental condition. Many patients in the autism spectrum have gastrointestinal pathology that presents as behavior symptoms. Treatment of gut issues such as maldigestion, malabsorption, dysbiosis and inflammation often results in improvement of symptoms associated with autism.
Dan Rossignol, MD
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.
The use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in Autism
Some of the abnormal findings in autism, including inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, may be improved with HBOT. This presentation will review the potential mechanisms of action of HBOT in autism. Several recent prospective studies on the use of hyperbaric therapy in individuals with autism will be reviewed, including a recent double-blind controlled study of 62 children with autism. Some cases will be presented that discuss the common improvements and side effects seen with HBOT. Several treatment protocols at various hyperbaric pressures will be discussed that are currently being used in children with autism.
Kyle Van Dyke, MD
Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Autism
Oxidative stress and inflammation are major factors in the child with autism. In this talk Dr. Van Dyke will describe what oxidative stress and inflammation are, where they come from, and what you can do to treat them. Case reports will be discussed to show how treating these underlying conditions in autism can give significant clinical improvements. Dr. Van Dyke will also review the TACA Blueprint as a model for making a plan in treating your child.
Pastor Ryan Rupe
Helpful Hints for Moms and Dads
I would like to explore and examine some of the everyday pressures for parents who are raising a child with autism. We'll be exploring the hardships on the marriage itself and the strain it can put on it. Also, we'll examine the highs and lows of expectations and look at how realigning them can help you and your family. In addition, we'll examine the issue of control (or lack thereof) and the frustrations therein. We'll examine how to protect and strengthen your marriage and your respective roles within it. Finally we'll look at self care and the importance of self examination to keep yourself and your marriage healthy.