Illinois LEND Blog

There is a wonderful series of teleconferences coming up created by Dr. Cutler and her colleagues in conjunction with TAP/ICAAP to provide ASD updates to primary health care providers. You are invited to partake via teleconference. Below are the topics and more information.

The Autism Program (TAP) and the Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) are pleased to present an exceptional series of education teleconferences on topics of significance for anyone interested in advancing their knowledge about the status of trends in ASD diagnosis, improving services for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and learning more about effective ways to advocate for children and families dealing with ASD.

Friday, September 17, 2010 at 8:00 am
Topic: ASD and EI: Care Coordination Between the Medical Home and Early
Intervention

The pediatric provider is likely to be the first to recognize or be questioned about a developmental or other problem with a young child birth to three and therefore must be familiar with the available diagnostic and therapeutic services and how to access them. Participants in ASD and EI: Care Coordination Between the Medical Home and Early Intervention will have the opportunity to:

• Understand the need for early identification of young children with ASD and to be aware of resources to help you guide families to an early diagnosis, appropriate treatments and support.
• Be aware of evidence based practices for young children with ASD.
• Gain knowledge of the current early intervention practices in this state regarding ASD and to become aware of service gaps and the need for advocacy to address these gaps.

The presenter for this event is Ann Cutler, MD, FAAP. She is a developmental pediatrician who has worked in the Chicago community for over 24 years. She graduated from Wayne State Medical School and completed her pediatric residency at Michael Reese Medical Center in
Chicago as well as a fellowship in developmental disabilities at the Harvard Medical Center Boston Childrens Hospital. She is board certified in both general pediatrics and neurodevelopmental pediatrics. For the past 15 years, Dr. Cutler has been at the University of Illinois at Chicago Institute on Disability and Human Development where she serves as
coordinator of the Zero through Three Developmental Diagnostic Program and a LEND (Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) Director. Dr. Cutler is also faculty for the EDOPC project and a member of the Executive Committee of Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics. Click here for online registration for the ASD and EI Teleconference.

For information about this event, contact Juanona Brewster, Director of Early Childhood Development for ICAAP at jbrewster@illinoisaap.com or 312/733-1026 ext 203

Monday, September 20, 2010
Topic: Whats New for Autism in the DSM-V

The DSM is a guide created by the American Psychiatric Association to assist mental health professionals and government agencies. In a draft released February 10, 2010, the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) has proposed changes to the diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorders. What's New for Autism in the DSM-V will discuss the suggested changes and their implications for children and families dealing with autism. Participants will:

• Become familiar with proposed changes to autism spectrum diagnoses in DSM-V
• Explain the rationale behind the changes
• Understand the implications of the changes for practice

The presenter Dana M. Brazdziunas, MD is the Director, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Childrens Memorial Hospital and Associate professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Brazdziunas is also the chair of the Committee on Child Development for the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Click here for online registration for the What's New for Autism in the DSM-V Teleconference

For information about this event, contact Juanona Brewster, Director of Early Childhood Development for ICAAP at jbrewster@illinoisaap.com or 312/733-1026 ext 203

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 8:00 am
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Complementary Alternative Medicine Treatments

An increase in the rate of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has sparked a parallel interest in services and treatments for children with ASD. When families seek treatment for their child with ASD, a host of different treatment modalities can be prescribed that usually have been tied to the prevailing beliefs concerning the cause of ASD. However, there is lack of agreement concerning the best combination of treatment approaches and expected outcomes. Combined with the fact that many children with autism have poor access to effective treatment, it is not surprising that families turn to complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM) strategies. Participants in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Complementary Alternative Medicine Treatments will have the opportunity to:

• Become familiar with non-biological and biological complementary alternative medicines (CAM)
• Have more awareness of the potential harm and medical complications associated with CAM
• Learn about evidence of effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of CAM
• Discover techniques to communicate with families about CAM

The presenter is Dr. Alan Rosenblatt. Dr. Rosenblatt has more than 20 years experience as a general and neurodevelopmental pediatrician. He opened his current practice in Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics on Chicago's north side in 2004 and serves as an attending physician in the resident continuity clinic at Childrens Memorial Hospital. Dr. Rosenblatt trained in general pediatrics at Childrens National Medical Center in Washington, DC and did his fellowship in Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD. He has served in leadership positions at the local, state
and national levels, including as a member of the Autism Expert Panel and Autism Subcommittee of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has published educational materials on Autism Spectrum Disorders for parents and physicians and has served as a reviewer and advisor for policy statements and clinical reports on ASDs and developmental screening for
the AAP. Click here for online registration for the Complementary Alternative
Medicine Treatments Teleconference

For information about this event, contact Juanona Brewster, Director of Early Childhood Development for ICAAP at jbrewster@illinoisaap.com or 312/733-1026 ext 203