PRESENTS ThE EIghTEENT h ANNUAL
Advances in Autism Conference Sunday November 1 6, 201 4 ST ERN AUDIT oRIUM IC A hN SChooL oF MEDICINE AT MoUNT SINA I NEW yoRk , Ny CoURSE DIREC T oR JoSEPh D. bUxbAUM, PhD
SPECIA L gUEST SPEAkER: JohN ELDER RobISoN New York Times Bestselling Author of Look Me in the Eye and Raising Cubby DIST INgUIShED SCIENTIFIC SPEAkERS: Joseph D. Buxbaum, PhD Alex Kolevzon, MD Robert T. Schultz, PhD
SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 9:00 AM
breakfast and Registration
9:30
opening Remarks Joseph D. Buxbaum John D. Cohen
1 0:00
Novel T herapeutic Approaches in Autism Spectrum Disorders Joseph D. Buxbaum
1 0:45
Coffee break
1 1 :00
Current Trends in the Pharmacological Treatment of Autism Alex Kolevzon
1 1 :45
Neuroimaging of the Social brain: What have We Learned and What is on the horizon? Robert T. Schultz
1 2:30 PM
Lunch
1 :30
A fternoon Introductions Hirschell Levine
1 :45
Keynote Presentation: Raising Cubby John Elder Robison
3:00-4:00 NEW ! PA NEL DISC USSIoN WIT h SPEA k ERS Joseph D. Buxbaum Alex Kolevzon Robert T. Schultz John Elder Robison
A ll attendees are welcome to join us for a reception with the conference speakers immediately following the panel discussion.
Register Online at www.seaverconference2014.eventbrite.com
A DvA NCES IN AUT ISM CoNFERENCE
Nov EMbER 1 6, 201 4
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS Joseph D. buxbaum, PhD
Alex kolevzon, MD
John Elder Robison
g. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Professor Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, genetics and genomic Sciences Director, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment Vice Chair for Research, Department of Psychiatry Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Mount Sinai Health System
Associate Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics Clinical Director, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment Director, Child Behavioral Health and Science Center Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Mount Sinai Health System
New York Times Bestselling Author of Look Me in the Eye and Raising Cubby
John D. Cohen, LLb
hirschell Levine, JD, CPA , LLb, LLM (Taxation)
Doctor of Humane Letters (Honorary, Yeshiva university) Trustee, Beatrice and Samuel A. Seaver Foundation Retired Partner, Chair of Real Estate Department, Tenzer, greenblatt, Fallon & Kaplan
Robert T. Schultz, PhD RAC Professor of Psychology, Departments of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, university of Pennsylvania Director, Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Doctor of Humane Letters (Honorary, Yeshiva university) Trustee, Beatrice and Samuel A. Seaver Foundation Retired Managing Partner, Eisner & Lubin Consultant Trusts & Estates, Withum Smith & Brown
Joseph D. buxbaum, PhD Dr. Buxbaum is the g. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and genetic and genomic Sciences, the Head of The Laboratory of Molecular Neuropsychiatry, and the Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai. Dr. Buxbaum is the Director of the Seaver Autism Center, and his research focuses on using techniques of molecular genetics and neurobiology to identify, and ultimately characterize, genes that contribute to autism susceptibility. His laboratory has identified common and rare genetic variants that underlie autism spectrum disorders and has developed model systems in which novel therapeutics can be tested. In addition, Dr. Buxbaum has taken a lead in several international consortia, most recently the Autism Sequencing Consortium aimed at sequencing 20,000 exomes, dedicated to advancing research in autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Buxbaum is the author of more than 200 publications, and he is co-editor-in-chief of the journal Molecular Autism (www.molecularautism.com). Alex kolevzon, MD Dr. Kolevzon is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and serves as the Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for the Mount Sinai Health System and the Clinical Director of the Seaver Autism Center. He completed residency and fellowship training (child and adolescent psychiatry) at Mount Sinai and joined the faculty upon graduating. His research interests pertain to understanding the neurobiology of autism spectrum disorder and in developing novel therapeutics. Most recently, his group has focused on studying specific genetic forms of autism, including Fragile X syndrome and Phelan McDermid syndrome, in order to better understand the clinical presentation and to explore possible targets for pharmacological intervention. Dr.
Kolevzon has published numerous papers on autism spectrum disorder in addition to several books, including the Textbook of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Kolevzon is also committed to medical student and residency education as an active teacher, mentor, and clinical supervisor and has received many teaching awards as well as grants to support innovative educational endeavors. Robert T. Schultz, PhD Dr. Schultz is trained in cognitive neuroscience, behavioral genetics and clinical psychology. He is currently the Director of the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and is the RAC endowed Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the university of Pennsylvania. He is the past President of the International Society for Autism Research, and has been active nationally and internationally in the autism community. His research has focused on brain-behavior relationships, and more recently, the effects of autism risk variants in moderating those relationships. He is particularly interested in the biological bases of social learning, especially the role of social motivation in directing learning experiences. He is part of a National Institutes of Health Autism Center of Excellence Network that is devoted to discovering behavioral and brain based biomarkers in the first two years of life for infants at risk for autism, and he has begun to follow those children longitudinally. He is also studying several hundred school aged youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) using advanced neuroimaging techniques and detailed phenotyping. Because ASD is so heterogeneous in their clinical manifestations and biological underpinnings, the Center he directs is focused on the collection of large samples of ASD participants, and is an early adopter of remote phenotyping approaches in an effort to more efficiently collect “big data."
KEYNOTE SPEAKER John Elder Robison John Elder Robison grew up with Asperger’s, at a time when the diagnosis didn’t exist, and with no inkling of how to pass for normal. (He was finally diagnosed at age forty.) In his incredibly readable, bestselling memoir, Look Me In the Eye, Robison recounts his incredible life, with illuminating insight. The book was named one of the top books of the year by Amazon, was listed in Publisher’s Weekly as one of the top selling books in America for three years in a row, and was a finalist for the Books for a Better Life Award. Robison’s latest book, Be Different is an honest, darkly humourous glimpse of Asperger’s as a difference, not a disability. Beyond the real-life tales on its pages, Be Different offers practical advice for parents and educators. He captures the irreducible strangeness of the human mind and the irrepressible strength of the human spirit — and provides us with a fresh perspective on the autism now afflicting so many children. In his talks, Robison, an adjunct professor at Elms College in Massachusetts, details how he overcame enormous odds to lead a fulfilling life: from an anti-social child to a successful father now running a multi-million dollar car specialty shop and his own photography business. Though his life is unique — he’s designed guitars for KISS and toys for Milton Bradley — it’s equally rich with clues to both spotting autism in children and harnessing the best from those already diagnosed. Robison, who is currently involved in autism research at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, has been applauded by thousands — the general public, teachers, mental health workers — for his storytelling skill, his on-stage compassion, and his insistence that anyone can lead successful lives according to gifts, not limitations. Asperger’s is not a disease that needs curing; it’s a way of experiencing life that requires only understanding and encouragement from others. In affecting, unforgettable talks, Robison reminds us that people “on the spectrum” can develop throughout their lives, and that it’s never too late to hope for or expect change.
CONFERENCE SUPPORTERS WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF: Deanna & Hirschell Levine
Ann & John Cohen
The Beatrice & Samuel A. Seaver Foundation
William D. & Deborah Miller Zabel
Helen L. Kimmel Revocable Trust
Kathryn E. Spence Family Foundation
Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation
Estate of Ann Schlaifer
Betty & John Levin
Denise and Andrew Saul Foundation
STATEMENT OF NEED With the increasing rate of autism diagnoses and a rapidly aging young adult population with autism, there is a need to increase the sophistication of the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of autism and autism spectrum disorders and share this information with psychiatrists, neurologists, other health care professionals, and consumers/family members. This is the main purpose of the Advances in Autism Conference. The goal of the Conference is a general update and enhancement of knowledge related to the accurate recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. With this knowledge, physicians, health care professionals, and teachers can better serve people with autism and provide optimal services to their patients with autism spectrum disorders. For families who attend, this conference will inform them of the current trends in diagnosis, research, and treatment and provide information on options/resources they might otherwise not have had access to. Our conference is an annual one-day event held at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. It includes a series of lectures and workshops given by accomplished professionals in the field of autism. The purpose of the conference is to advance knowledge of the practicing psychiatrist, neurologist, psychologist, geneticist, other health care professional, educator, family member and social worker as to the accurate recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to: ■
Assess the current psychological, neurological, functional imaging, and neurotransmitter model systems of autism.
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Learn about advances in understanding the causes of autism and how this may lead to improved treatments.
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Evaluate current pharmacological, behavioral, educational, and group treatments of autism.
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Integrate the current diagnostic measures and treatment options for autism spectrum disorders into private practice.
Target Audience This conference is designed for psychiatrists, neurologists, psychologists, pediatricians, geneticists, other health care professionals, educators, family members, and social workers. Verification of attendance will be provided to participants upon request.
FACULTY DISCLOSURE & SPECIAL NEEDS Faculty Disclosure It is the policy of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to ensure objectivity, balance, independence, transparency, and scientific rigor in all educational activities. All faculty participating in the planning or implementation of an activity are expected to disclose to the audience any relevant financial relationships and to assist in resolving any conflict of interest that may arise from the relationship. Presenters must also make a meaningful disclosure to the audience of their discussions of unlabeled or unapproved drugs or devices. This information will be available as part of the course materials. Special Needs The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is in full compliance with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is accessible for individuals with special needs. If you would like to attend this conference and require any special accommodations, please contact Jessica Brownfeld at 212-241-0349.
REGISTRATION FEES AND MEETING INFORMATION Registration Information FEE
Practicing Physicians, Health Care Professionals, & Educators
$175
Mount Sinai & Affiliated Faculty
$125
NEW REDUCED FEE for students and families of people with autism spectrum disorder: Family Members
$75
Students
$50
Unfortunately no refunds can be issued after October 31, 2014.
Meeting Location Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Annenberg Building, Stern Auditorium 1468 Madison Avenue (@100th Street) New York, NY 10029 Directions http://www.icahn.mssm.edu/about-us/visiting-us Parking Parking is available on East 99th Street (between Madison & Park Avenues). Information For conference and registration information, please e-mail jessica.brownfeld@mssm.edu or call (212) 241-0349.
REGISTRATION A dvances in Autism Conference Sunday, November 16, 2014
T hREE WAyS T o REgIST ER 1 ) online: www.seaverconference2014.eventbrite.com 2) Fax completed registration to 212-828-4221
LAST NAME, FIRST NAME
3) Mail this form with your check to: Seaver Autism Center Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai One gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230 New York, NY 10029 Attn: Jessica Brownfeld
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REgIST RAT IoN INFoRMAT IoN FEE
■ Practicing Physicians, Health Care Professionals, & Educators
$175
■ Mount Sinai & Affiliated Faculty
$125
■ Family Members
$75
■ Students
$50
Please indicate special dietary needs: ■ Kosher ■ Vegetarian
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For conference and registration information, please e-mail jessica.brownfeld@mssm.edu or call (21 2) 241 -0349. ICA hN SChooL oF MEDICINE AT MoUNT SINA I SEAv ER AUT ISM CENT ER FoR RESEA RCh A ND T REAT MENT
Visit our website at www.seaverautismcenter.org