: Keynote Session- Robert Hendren, DO "What Causes Autism: How the Answer Guides Evaluation and Treatment"

Families and practitioners beliefs about what causes autism- is it a genetic, brain based disorder or a whole body disorder caused by environment-gene interactions- lead to different beliefs about whether autism is increasing or just being recognized more as well as leading to different treatment strategies. This presentation will review recent research from the MIND Institute and other research centers that suggest the paradigm for understanding autism is shifting opening up new ideas for effective treatment.