When:

Saturday, January 28, 2012
9:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Where:

Friends of the Waisman Center Auditorium
1st Floor, West Annex
Waisman Center, UW-Madison
1500 Highland Ave
Madison, WI 53705

Participants will learn about some of the latest advances in autism research, and will hear firsthand from a panel of experts—individual(s) diagnosed with ASD and their families.

Registration is closed. Event at capacity. Please directions below to view the webcast.

Program & Schedule (pdf)

"Welcome and Introduction to the Waisman Center"

Marsha Mailick Seltzer, PhD
Director, Waisman Center
Vaughan Bascom and Elizabeth M. Boggs Professor

 

"Investigations of Brain Connectivity in Autism Using MRI"

Andrew Alexander, PhD
Associate Professor, Medical Physics

While the diagnosis of autism is based upon a set of behavioral features, it is less clear how the brain is affected. In my research, we are investigating measurements of brain connectivity between different brain areas using both functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging. The results of our research show that brain connectivity is altered in autism. Our results also show that these connectivity properties change with age. This altered connectivity property may be useful for diagnosis and identification of specific subtypes of autism.

 

"Transitioning Together: An Intervention for Families of Adolescents with ASD"

Leann Smith, PhD
Associate Scientist, Waisman Center

Despite the increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), few programs provide teenagers with ASD and their families' with support during the adolescent years. This talk will focus on recent research on the needs of families undergoing transition and will present data from a pilot study of the Transitioning Together program, an education and support program for families of adolescents with ASD that is being provided at the Waisman Center.

 

"What is the Autism Society of Greater Madison?"

David George
President, Autism Society of Greater Madison

 

 

LUNCH
—Optional, $5 box lunches (Cousins Subs) available for purchase.

"Teaching Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders: What Works?"

Linda Tuchman-Ginsberg, PhD
Outreach Program Manager
University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
Waisman Center

The use of evidence-based practices within a child's daily routines and activities, whether at school, home or other community settings, is the best approach to serving children and youth with ASD. This session will provide a brief overview of the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders (NPDC), a project conducted by the Waisman Center and two other sites. This session will describe how to access the NPDC materials and resources, and present data on the impact of the NPDC work on children and youth with ASD on the schools and programs that have participated in NPDC activities.

PANEL DISCUSSION
—A panel of experts, including an individual with ASD and family members.