Autism Orlando
Biennial Conference 2008

 Orlando Florida, February 14th - 17th
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Autism Orlando Biennial Conference 2008
February 14-17, 2008
Caribe Royale
Orlando, Florida
Tentative Schedule (subject to change)
Register Now!

The main focus of our conference is "Autism Through the Lifespan," which is a very unique approach to autism that is critical today as the population of children and teens with autism age. Addressing the lifespan of autism spectrum disorders will be a key component to this year's conference.

The conference addresses "Treating Autism as a Medical Disorder; Bringing Biomedical Treatments, Behavioral & Developmental Therapies Together."

The biennial conference provides comprehensive, evidence-based information to assist parents, family members, caregivers, physicians, educators, therapists, social workers, nurses, and other professionals in building effective interventions for all individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Parents of children with autism are encouraged to attend the conference and obtain information that may be helpful in finding the resources needed for recovery, advocacy, education and achieving a better quality of life. This conference will be very beneficial for parents and loved ones because not only will they get an incredible amount of information, they will be inspired. One of our main goals of this conference is to give people hope.

Click on the following presenter to go directly to the session.

David Berger, MD
Jeffrey Bradstreet, MD, FAAFP
Jesus Casquias, MD
Phillip C. DeMio, MD
Mark Geier, MD, PhD
David Geier
Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA
Valerie Herskowitz, MA-CCC-SLP
Jerry Kartzinel, MD, FAAP
Raun Kaufman
Stan Kurtz

Shannon Kenitz
Arthur Krigsman, MD
James Neubrander, MD, FAAEM
Valerie Paradiz, PhD and son Elijah Wapner
Dan Rossignol. MD
William Shaw, PhD
Angela Shoemaker
Stephen Shore, ABD
Lauren Underwood, PhD
Theresa K. Wrangham

Thursday, February 14
5:30pm -6:30pm

Registration, Opening Session and Exhibitor's Viewing
All exhibits will be open this evening. Learn about new products and services from our exhibiting firms. If you have registered for any day (Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday, your registration includes Thursday night, too). Don't miss this important opening session.

6:30pm - 7:30pm Treating Autism is a Team Approach and You are Part of that Team; Take an Active Role/ Angela Shoemaker;
ADVOCACY - YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Theresa K. Wrangham
7:30pm -8:30pm Prevent Harm Now: How to Carry, Birth and Raise a Healthy Child in a Toxic World / David Berger, MD
8:30pm - 9:30pm Panel Discussion
Friday, February 15
7:00am - 7:45am Registration and Exhibit Viewing
7:45am - 8:00am

Opening Remarks by Karen Simmons (Autism Today) and Lawrence P. Kaplan, PhD (USAAA); There will be a special message delivered on behalf of Senator Clinton read by a former US congresswoman. Senator Clinton sends her regrets that she could not be in person and is sending a former congresswoman on her behalf. The Autism Orlando Conference committee invited several political leaders of all parties to Autism Orlando Biennial Conference and Senator Clinton was the only one that responded.

8:00am - 10:00am

The Behavioral-Biomedical Model Approach to Treating Autism / Lauren Underwood, PhD and Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA

10:00am - 10:30am Break and Exhibitor Viewing
10:30am - 11:30am Medical Interventions: Getting Started / Jerry Kartzinel, MD, FAAP
11:30am - 12:30pm Hope and Possibilities / Shannon Kenitz
12:30pm - 1:45pm Lunch on your own and Exhibit viewing
1:45pm - 3:15pm Epidemiology and other evidence on what caused the autism epidemic and new treatment protocol for autism / Mark Geier, MD and David Geier
3:15pm - 3:45pm Break and Exhibit viewing
3:45pm - 4:45pm Examining Five Promising Approaches for Working with Children on the Autism Spectrum / Stephen Shore, ABD
3:45pm - 4:45pm Deficient Cholesterol: A Common New Factor in Autism/ William Shaw, PhD
5:15pm - 7:00pm Parent & Practitioner Presentation with Open Discussion / Phil DeMio, MD, Jerry Kartzinel, MD, Larry Kaplan, PhD, Karen Simmons, Angela Shoemaker, Theresa Wrangham & Kristin Selby

Complimentary Dinner will be served to all who attend the presentation and open discussion presented by Kirkman Labs, Doctor's Data, and Care Clinics.
Saturday, February 16
7:00am - 8:00am Registration and Exhibit viewing
8:00am - 9:30am Don’t Gamble! Learn How to Save Money and Win More Often as You Choose Treatment Options for Your Child / James Neubrander, MD, FAAEM
9:30am -10:00am Break and Exhibit viewing
10:00am -11:30am Stop the Assault! The Three “D’s” for the ASD: Issues of Diets, Digestion, and Detoxification/Chelation for the Autism Spectrum / Phillip C. DeMio, MD and Angela Shoemaker
11:30am - 1:00pm Lunch on your own and Exhibitor Viewing
1:00pm - 2:30pm Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Autism/ Dan Rossignol, MD
2:30pm - 3:45pm Remarkable Results with a Combination of Anti-Viral and Nasal MB12 Therapy in ASD's Related Conditions / Stan Kurtz
3:45pm - 4:15pm Break and Exhibitor Viewing
4:15pm -5:15pm CComputer-Based Intervention for Individuals With Autism / Valerie Herskowitz, MA-CCC-SLP
4:15pm -5:15pm Asperger's Syndrome: Building Confidence through Emerging and Deep Interests / Valerie Paradiz, Phd & Elijah Wapner
6:30pm - 11:00pm Dinner, Comedy, Dancing Party, $40 Adults, $20 Children
Sunday, February 17
7:30am - 8:30am Registration and Exhibitor Viewing
8:30am - 10:00am Recovery is Possible: Using Biomarkers to Determine the Best Clinical Therapies / Jeff Bradstreet, MD, FAAFP
10:00am - 10:30am Break and Exhibitor Viewing
10:30am - 12:00pm Gastrointestinal pathology in autism: description, symptoms, and treatment / Arthur Krigsman, MD
12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch Break and Sibling Panel Discussion
1:00pm - 2:30pm Breakthrough Strategies for Autism Spectrum Disorders / Raun Kaufman
2:30pm - 3:30pm Overview, Prioritizing and Immediate Actions to Do Now, plus a look at Electro Pollution Dangers/ Jesus Caquias, MD
3:30pm Closing remarks
Register Now!

FULL DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTATIONS

Thursday, February 14
5:30pm -6:30pm

Registration, Opening Session and Exhibitor's Viewing
All exhibits will be open this evening. Learn about new products and services from our exhibiting firms. If you have registered for any day (Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday, your registration includes Thursday night, too). Don't miss this important opening session.

6:30pm - 7:30pm Treating Autism is a Team Approach and You are Part of that Team; Take an Active Role Angela Shoemaker
I am speaking tonight from the perspective of a parent who has traveled down a road of marked success due to the use interventions for a child with autism and his effected sibling. Ten things I want you to take away from this conference are: Seek out the answers as they will help you take appropriate actions; Empower yourself! You have the power to make a difference!; Strength and determination…find them within yourself as you will need them; Educate yourself. You owe it to yourself and your loved one to find out all of your choices. Knowledge is power!; Keep an open mind. Don’t discount an option until you have thoroughly researched it; Don’t go it alone. Get connected and stay connected!; Treating autism is a team approach and you are part of that team. Take an active role; No two children are the same. What works for one child may not work for another; There is hope! Those with autism can see significant improvements and/or recovery; Be patient, yet persistent. Press on and stay the course, a new solution could be right around the corner.

Advocacy - You Can Make a Difference! / Theresa K. Wrangham Shortly before relocating to the Middle East in the early 1990’s our youngest daughter Deanna was diagnosed with asthma, while our oldest daughter Rachel was beginning to show signs of what we would learn later was autism Pervasive Developmental Disorder/Not Otherwise Specified (PDD/NOS). If there was one thing I want you to take away from this information presented, it is that change often starts with the individual and then leads to a group of likeminded individuals who then communicate their message and affect change. It starts with the individual. Never give up! No one knows what is truly possible in terms of improvement of outcomes or recovery – it is evolving and no individual is too old to pursue recovery!; Improvement of outcomes or recovery can be a long process and seldom happens overnight. It is highly individualized. Be patient with the process and yourself; Let yourself off the hook for not knowing what you know today. Do not measure your child’s progress against another’s and beat yourself up!; Research, legislation, education and services will not move forward without community support. We are three million strong and growing! We have taken autism from being caused by poor mothering to a condition that is highly treatable with significant improvement and possible recovery! Your actions, or inaction, make a difference!
7:30pm -8:30pm Prevent Harm Now: How to Carry, Birth and Raise a Healthy Child in a Toxic World / David Berger, MD
Wholistic Pediatrics, under the direction of David S Berger, MD, is one of the few medical practices in the world that offers individualized wholistic treatment plans prepared by a Board Certified Pediatrician. Because we also provide primary and sick care to our patients, we are able to provide comprehensive medical services for the special needs child. We have developed protocols that are age and weight specific to safely utilize both natural and pharmacological agents in the healing of the patient. We prescribe specific brands and products that we have thoroughly researched for safety and efficacy. Each child is different and an individualized approach to testing and treatment plan needs to be followed.
8:30pm - 9:30pm Panel Discussion
Friday, February 15
7:00am - 7:45am Registration and Exhibit Viewing
7:45am - 8:00am

Opening Remarks by Karen Simmons (Autism Today) and Lawrence P. Kaplan, PhD (USAAA); There will be a special message delivered on behalf of Senator Clinton read by a former US congresswoman. Senator Clinton sends her regrets that she could not be in person and is sending a former congresswoman on her behalf. The Autism Orlando Conference committee invited several political leaders of all parties to Autism Orlando Biennial Conference and Senator Clinton was the only one that responded.

8:00am - 10:00am The Behavioral-Biomedical Model Approach to Treating Autism / Lauren Underwood, PhD and Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA
Treatments grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis as well as biomedical treatments have individually helped provide effective treatment models for autism. Although ABA-based interventions are now considered to be at the forefront of therapeutic interventions for children with autism, in recent years, evidence for successful outcomes with biomedical treatments has also been observed. Ultimately, in developing a “Best Practices” Model, these interventions must work together to provide the best possibilities for optimal outcomes. An overview of support for the behavioral-biomedical treatment model will be presented.
10:00am - 10:30am Break and Exhibitor Viewing
10:30am - 11:30am Medical Interventions: Getting Started / Jerry Kartzinel, MD, FAAP
11:30am - 12:30pm Hope and Possibilities / Shannon Kenitz
12:30pm - 1:45pm Lunch on your own and Exhibit viewing
1:45pm - 3:15pm Epidemiology and other evidence on what caused the autism epidemic and new treatment protocol for autism / Mark Geier, MD and David Geier
3:15pm - 3:45pm Break and Exhibit viewing
3:45pm - 4:45pm Examining Five Promising Approaches for Working with Children on the Autism Spectrum / Stephen Shore, ABD
Noting that there has been no true comparison between educational/behavioral/developmental approaches for working with children on the autism spectrum, qualitative research was initiated to investigate the following about Applied Behavioral Analysis, TEACCH, Daily Life Therapy, Miller Method, and DIR. Through written correspondence and face to face interviews, the developers of these varied approaches were queried on how they define autism, think about children with autism, and would handle carefully designed case studies representing the spectrum of autism. Some preliminary findings suggest that current definitions of autism are lacking and a more multi-dimensional approach is needed, some techniques are applicable across approaches, and a general sense that people with autism have something valuable to contribute to the community as a whole.
3:45pm - 4:45pm Deficient Cholesterol: A Common New Factor in Autism/ William Shaw, PhD
This talk will cover the most common genetic and metabolic causes of autism and PDD, among them the purine disorders, abnormal levels of gastrointestinal microorganisms, vitamin and nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, industrial pollution, heavy metals intoxication and mineral imbalances. Dr, Shaw will also speak about effective ways of correcting these.

5:15pm - 7:00pm Parent & Practitioner Presentation with Open Discussion / Phil DeMio, MD, Jerry Kartzinel, MD, Larry Kaplan, PhD, Karen Simmons, Angela Shoemaker, Theresa Wrangham & Kristin Selby

Complimentary dinner will be served to all who attend the presentation and open discussion presented by Kirkman Labs, Doctor's Data, and Care Clinics.
Saturday, February 16
7:00am - 8:00am Registration and Exhibit viewing
8:00am - 9:30am Don’t Gamble! Learn How to Save Money and Win More Often as You Choose Treatment Options for Your Child / James Neubrander, MD, FAAEM
The basis for improvement for children with autism builds on the behavioral and educational model. Such treatments include ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, principles of daily living, etc. No biomedical treatment will ever replace these as the primary building blocks upon which children with autism must stand. However, biomedical treatments are strong adjuncts to each child’s educational and behavioral therapies and optimize each child’s maximum potential for success. Biomedical therapies first plow the ground, then water and fertilize it so that whatever educational seeds are sown will take root more quickly and develop into stronger, more deeply rooted plants. But how does a parent know what treatments to choose from the ever-growing menu of biomedical treatment options? How does a parent navigate through the maze of Internet posts from other parents or vendors exclaiming the benefits of one treatment over another? These and many other questions must be answered so families can first survive and subsequently thrive in the difficult world of autism.
9:30am -10:00am Break and Exhibit viewing
10:00am -11:30am Stop the Assault! The Three “D’s” for the ASD: Issues of Diets, Digestion, and Detoxification/Chelation for the Autism Spectrum / Phillip C. DeMio, MD and Angela Shoemaker
Abstract: The vast majority of persons on the Autism Spectrum (ASD) who make significant gains from biomedical treatments will require care that addresses the triad of dietary intervention, digestive/gastrointestinal problems, and detoxification techniques (such as chelation). Thus an understanding of the three “D’s” is paramount to the success of the biomedical approach for virtually all patients. This discussion will include the major aspects of these three areas, and how this leads to insights into the biomedical basis of symptoms and treatment of the ASD.

Learning objectives:
  1. Dietary Intervention: Practical implementation of treatment programs will be given, including such diets as gluten-free/casein-free, specific carbohydrate, low oxalate, pigment restriction (eg,phenols and salicylates), and others. Particular situations in which one diet would be chosen over another will be highlighted.
  2. Digestive and gastrointestinal (GI): Topics will touch upon overgrowth of yeast and other dysbioses (abnormal GI germs), leaky gut, abdominal pain, chewing problems, swallowing difficulties, acid reflux, diarrhea, constipation, malabsorption of nutritional substances, and how these all connect to symptoms in our children and adults with spectrum disorders.
  3. Detoxification: An often misunderstood phenomenon, detoxification will be described. Our patients and loved ones on the spectrum often suffer from toxicity via a variety of substances that originate from such entities as vaccines to dental metals to environmental sources. Mercury, aluminum, and other known toxins cause many of the maladies experienced by our patients. Chelation techniques and other approaches will be presented, and goals will be outlined.
11:30am -1:00pm Lunch on your own and Exhibitor Viewing
1:00pm - 2:30pm Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Autism/ Dan Rossignol, MD
Dr. Rossignol will review how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) works, recent autism findings, including cerebral hypoperfusion, neuroinflammation and GI inflammation, and oxidative stress and how HBOT can help with each of these conditions. Dr. Rossignol will wrap up with a discussion of HBOT safety, dosing and review data from case studies.

Learning Objectives:
  1. To review the role, possible mechanisms, and symptom correlations of relative cerebral hypoperfusion in autistic individuals and understand how HBOT may help overcome this finding.
  2. To review recent evidence demonstrating that autism is characterized by inflammation in the brain and gastrointestinal tract and understand how HBOT may help overcome this inflammatory process.
  3. To review the role of oxidative stress in autism and discuss how HBOT and antioxidants may help impact this finding.
2:30pm - 3:45pm Remarkable Results with a Combination of Anti-Viral and Nasal MB12 Therapy in ASD's Related Conditions / Stan Kurtz
Stan Kurtz presents what you need to know about antiviral and MB12 Nasal Spray therapies for autism spectrum disorder, AD(H)D and chronic illness. With data from his expanding parent group of 1000 families and personal experience of recovering his son, this multimedia presentation includes science based techniques, recovery videos, parent reports, and some astounding data about metals excretion during antiviral therapy and normalization of brain wave activity through methyl-B12 nasal spray.
3:45pm - 4:15pm Break and Exhibitor Viewing
4:15pm -5:15pm Computer-Based Intervention for Individuals With Autism / Valerie Herskowitz, MA-CCC-SLP
Presently, 1 out of 150 individuals have been identified as having autism. Many of these individuals are now children, however, children grow into adults. The question is: How will these adults maximize their potential for independence? The key is through accessing technology. It's important to start teaching these skills at an early age. Initially, this presentation will discuss technological innovations of today and tomorrow that will help our children to become as independent as possible as adults . Then we will focus on the importance of beginning computer-based intervention at an early age. Areas for training will be discussed as will resources for implementing this type of programming. . Valerie Herskowitz, a 29-year veteran speech pathologist who specializes in computer-based intervention for individuals on the spectrum.
4:15pm -5:15pm Asperger's Syndrome: Building Confidence through Emerging and Deep Interests / Valerie Paradiz, Phd & Elijah Wapner
This workshop offers practical strategies for families, educators, and professionals who care for and work with children and adults diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, high-functioning autism, and PDD-NOS. Participants will learn about the life span of individuals with AS/HFA/PDD-NOS from early childhood to adult life. Practical strategies will be offered in the areas of self-monitoring/self-regulation, self-advocacy, and creating safe, supportive home and school environments that foster social development and emotional confidence.
6:30pm - 11:30pm Dinner, Comedy, Dancing Party, $40 Adults, $20 Children

Dinner, Comedy, DJ and Dancing featuring performing artist, comedian, Elijah Wapner from TrueLife: I Have Autism

Enjoy a fun and relaxing evening featuring a scrumptious buffet dinner with entertainment that includes performing artist and comedian Elijah Wapner who was featured on MTV’s TrueLife: I Have Autism; and musical entertainment by disc jockey Shane who will spin all your favorite rock and roll tunes! Hors D’oeuvres will be presented in the Atrium East located on the lower level. Meet with conference speakers and exhibitors in a relaxed and fun setting. Dinner will be served in the Martinique Ballroom located on the lower level.
Sunday, February 17
7:30am - 8:30am Registration and Exhibitor Viewing
8:30am - 10:00am Recovery is Possible: Using Biomarkers to Determine the Best Clinical Therapies / Jeff Bradstreet, MD, FAAFP
Recent advances in laboratory methods are allowing treatment options to be fine-tuned in remarkable ways. No longer do we have to guess or go through endless trial and error techniques to find the best treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders. This lecture will review simple techniques that help most children with their recovery and allow families to make wise choices with their budgets. Examples and case studies will illustrate the effectiveness of these approaches.
10:00am -10:30am Break and Exhibitor Viewing
10:30am -12:00pm Gastrointestinal pathology in autism: description, symptoms, and treatment / Arthur Krigsman, MD
Children with autistic spectrum disorders frequently have gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and flatulence. Evaluation of these children should proceed in the same manner as it would if the child did not have autism. The majority of these children will ultimately be found to have lesions in either the small or large intestine, or both. These lesions take the form of ulcerations, erosions, pathologic lymphoid nodular hyperplasia (LNH), and enterocolitis..
12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch Break and Sibling Panel Discussion
1:00pm - 2:30pm Breakthrough Strategies for Autism Spectrum Disorders / Raun Kaufman
Mr. Kaufman, CEO of the Autism Treatment Center of America™, will provide concrete, bold strategies you can implement now for your child’s immediate gain. As a child, Mr. Kaufman was diagnosed with severe autism and recommended for lifelong institutionalization. Instead, his parents developed The Son-Rise Program, which enabled their son to completely recover from his autism. Now an international speaker and Ivy League graduate with a degree in Biomedical Ethics, Mr. Kaufman bears no traces of his former condition (and is the subject of a book and movie). His lecture focuses on some innovative, outside-the-box techniques you can use today to help your child: move beyond stimming (without you stopping or discouraging your child’s behavior), learn new skills (without you having to push or pressure), and, most especially, to form meaningful, caring relationships with others.
2:30pm - 3:30pm Overview, Prioritizing and Immediate Actions to Do Now, plus a look at Electro Pollution Dangers/ Jesus Caquias, MD
3:30pm Closing remarks