The Autism Research Institute, a pioneer organization in the biomedical, whole-body approach to autism, will host leading experts at the Autism Research Institute (ARI) Conference from Thursday, April 26 through Sunday, April 29 at the Newark Airport Marriott in Newark, N.J. The conference is open to the public and cost to attend is $79 per day, with discounts to those who qualify. Free evening workshops are also open to the public. The ARI Conference offers autism resources for parents, caregivers, pediatricians, and other medical and non-medical practitioners (CME and continuing education credits offered).
Held during Autism Awareness Month, the four-day summit of autism thought leaders will review and discuss the latest scientific research on environmental and dietary elements that exacerbate autism symptoms. Experts will also share proven strategies for treatment and remediation of symptomatic behaviors.
"All too often, autism is mismanaged when symptoms are addressed as isolated issues," said ARI Conference Director, Denise Fulton. "The ARI Conference brings together scientific research and real-life cases that show autism treatments are more effective when approached with a whole-body strategy and an understanding that autism symptoms are interconnected. For example, gastrointestinal issues can often be the root of behavioral challenges and sleep problems."
ARI Conference featured keynote speaker will be Dr. Martha Herbert— pediatric neurologist, member of the faculty at Harvard Medical School, researcher and author of the new book, The Autism Revolution: Whole-Body Strategies for Making Life All It Can Be (Random House, March, 2012). In her book, Dr. Herbert presents the paradigm-shifting approach: autism can essentially be unwound with step-by-step restoration of a child's whole-body health. The Autism Revolution is the first Harvard Health Publications-backed book on autism, and all ARI Conference attendees will receive a copy.
"Pharmaceutical treatments should not be the automatic prescription as they often are today for many medical practitioners," added Fulton. "There are many non-drug autism treatment options with which parents have found success."
With General, Science, Nutrition, Practitioner and Adult Services tracks, ARI Conference includes workshops and sessions on the topics of causal links, treatment, early intervention, behavior/sensory issues, recovery, adult autism, environment and lifestyle, education and care. A sample of topics and presenters include:
- Why is Diet Particularly Important in Autism? – Peta Cohen, M.S., R.D.
- How to Get the Most out of Your Practitioner – Nancy O'Hara, M.D.
- The Role of Environmental Toxins in the ASD Epidemic – Stuart Freedenfeld, M.D.
- How to Choose the Right Interventions – Vicki Kobliner, M.S., R.D.
- Nutritional Supplements: What to Do First and Symptom Specific Recommendations – Dana Laake, R.D.H, M.S., L.D.N.
- Maternal Gene-Environment Interactions During Pregnancy: Risk of Autism and Potential for Prevention – S. Jill James, Ph.D.
Gut flora disruption in infancy linked to autism and ADHD