The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Mark Friedlander, MD joined Aetna in 2002 as Medical Director for Aetna Behavioral Health. He is currently responsible for oversight of patient management processes and design and implementation of disease management programs, including an Autism Resurce Management pilot program . Mark began his career in 1991 as a staff psychiatrist at York Hospital located in York PA. In addition, he served as a medical consultant to Hoffman Homes Residential Programs, Rehabilitation Communities, and Children's Development Center. In 1993, Mark became Acting Medical Director for the Child Guidance Resource Centers with responsibilities including consulting for the Community School and evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents for special education placements. In 1997, Mark became Medical Director for the outpatient department and adolescent inpatient unit at Friends Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. He served as consulting psychiatrist for LifePath and physician reviewer for PENN-Friends Behavioral Health. His achievements also include the development of a clinic for mentally retarded patients. From 2001 through 2002, Dr. Friedlander served as the Corporate Medical Director for PENN-Friends Behavioral Health System, a provider-owned managed behavioral health organization jointly operated by the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Friends Behavioral Health System. Dr. Friedlander completed his training at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA and is board-certified in both Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. He is a recognized clinical leader in the field of Mental Retardation and Neuropsychiatry and has been recognized as a "Top Doc" in Philadelphia Magazine.

Judith S. Palfrey, MD, FAAP, is the 2008-2009 President-Elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The AAP is the nation’s largest pediatric organization, with a membership of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists. Dr. Palfrey took office as President-Elect at the October 2008 AAP National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) in Boston, Mass., and will serve as the 2009-2010 AAP President. Dr. Palfrey is a general pediatrician and child advocate. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and medical degree from Columbia University, she trained at Jacobi Hospital in New York. She then joined Children’s Hospital, Boston, holding the position of General Pediatrics Division Chief from 1986-2008. Under her leadership, the Division grew to one of the largest and most productive General Pediatrics programs in the country. Dr. Palfrey has served as Chair of the AAP Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, President of the Academic Pediatric Association, Director of Building Bright Futures, and National Program Director of the Dyson Community Pediatrics Initiative. Dr. Palfrey is the T. Berry Brazelton Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. She directs the Children’s International Pediatric Center, Children’s Hospital, Boston. She is also Master of Adams House at Harvard College along with her husband, Dr. Sean Palfrey. She has written five books, including Community Child Health and Child Health in America, and more than 100 articles dealing with improving child health systems. She has mentored hundreds of medical students, residents, and fellows. Dr. Palfrey has advocated for fully coordinated primary care services in a “medical home” to address child health inequities, and she has provided guidance for practices and school systems for children with special health care needs. She has advocated for substantial funding of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), improved school health services and payment to pediatricians for developmental screening and coordination of care. “It is time to get health care coverage for children right once and for all,” said Dr. Palfrey. “SCHIP has been a modest step in the right direction, but nearly 9 million children remain uninsured. We must assure that all children receive excellent health care through universal insurance and the provision of a full health benefits package consistent with AAP standards – our children are depending on it.”

Thomas R. Insel, M.D., is Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Dr. Insel has served on numerous academic, scientific, and professional committees and boards. Service. Dr. Insel has served as Chair of the IACC since it was first convened in January 2007 after being established under the Combating Autism Act of 2006. IACC develops an annual summary of advances in ASD research related to causes, prevention, treatment, early screening, diagnosis, intervention, and access to services and supports.

Dr. Cathy Pratt is the Director of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community located at Indiana University. Dr. Pratt is on the faculty at Indiana University and presents internationally. She is the past Chair of the Board for the national Autism Society.

Diagnosed with "Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies" & "too sick" for outpatient treatment Shore was recommended for institutionalization. Non-verbal until four, with support from parents, teachers and his wife, Stephen is now a professor at Adelphi University where research focuses on matching best practice to needs of autistic individuals.