The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

This presentation will address an upcoming book to be published by Oxford University Press. Issues associated with science based Medical and Clinical practices as well as Basic and Applied Research across all disciplines seeking evidence regarding causes, treatments and services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) throughout their lifespans. What can be done to mitigate the impact of autism on individuals, their families, and society at large?

One answer is knowledge about the disability including; research into its’ causes, symptoms to watch out for in order to get an early diagnosis, which, inturn supports early and intensive effective treatment[s] and identifying the various services required of children and adults in order that they live as full and fulfilling a life throughout their lifespan.

This panel presentation will attempt to identify the research that is currently taking place as well as proposed research for the foreseeable future.

It will also identify symptoms to look for by the diagnostician in order to obtain as early a diagnosis as is possible.

From this early diagnosis the presentation will address early and intensive treatments which have proven to be very effective in mitigating the affects of autism on the child, i.e., a much improved prognosis.

Following early identification and treatment the presentation will then describe the myriad of services that have proven effective in educating the children and preparing them for the adult world.

The presentation will then describe the vast array of options and opportunities needed by those adults on the autism spectrum as the majority of those with ASD are adults.

End of life matters will also be attended to as well as financial, legal, medical, religious, physical, and sexual concerns in a chapter on Transition Planning.

A chapter is being considered for non-evidence based treatments in order that the book serve as a protocol for discerning less scrupulous services/treatments from those that have a proven track record, i.e, are evidence based.

Throughout the presentation the following matters will be attended to:

 

• Government Benefits (The who, what, where, when, why & how of SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid, Part D, & related topics);

 

• Special Needs Estate Planning & Planning for "when the school bus stops coming" (The who, what, where, when, why & how of Special Needs Estate Planning, including such topics as Special Needs Trusts, Guardianships & alternatives, gifting by grandparents & other extended family & friends, the impact of divorce & child support on such government benefits.

 

• Adult Services including In-Home - Residential - Supported Employment - Secure Employment – Developmental Skill Training;  Determining the appropriate amount to save for a child with autism as one  plans for post school year services. Letters of Intent or Guidance for Future Care Providers and Agency Staff. The importance of an appropriate Individual Habilitation Plan [IHP] or Individual Plan for Employment [IPE].

 

• Special Education Law; the basics of an Individual Education Plan [IEP]; when you should consider contacting an experienced education lawyer or special education consultant; what should be in a Transition Plan,

 

• The latest federal and State rules on Special Education, Medicaid, Social Security and Vocational Rehabilitation.

 

• Medical Diagnostics [DSM-V]; Medications/Psychopharmacological interventions; Seizures, Pre/Postnatal interventions/precautions; Genetics and genetic counseling; Treatment protocols for cohort symptomatology- obsessive/compulsive disorder- manic/depression-ADHD- anxiety- auditory processing dysfunction- aphasia- apraxia- dyskinesia- dysgraphia- dyslexia- Tourette’s, etc.

Learning Objectives: