&
            Graduate School of Education

Present
The 5th Annual Early Childhood Conference:
Autism and Developmental Disabilities,
Understanding and Intervention
Friday   April 27, 2007  8am – 4pm

This event has already occurred. Stay tuned for details on the 2008 conference!

Conference Schedule

8:00 – 8:45   Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:45 – 9:00   Welcome and opening Remarks

James J. Hennessy, Ph.D, Dean, Graduate School of Education, Fordham University, New York, NY

9:00 – 10:30   Concurrent Sessions (choose one)

1A) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): From Diagnosis to Treatment Using an Integrated Model
Cecelia McCarton, MD, Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, President and Founder, The McCarton Foundation, Ivy Feldman, PhD, Educational Director, The McCarton School.
Description: The Integrated Model is grounded in the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and combines speech and language therapy, motor skills training, sensory integration therapy and play and socialization with peers. All aspects of Applied Behaviour Analysis including DTT, NET, Errorless learning, incidential teaching, shaping and positive reinforcement are utilized to maximize effective teaching and increase generalization to the natural environment. The Integrated Model melds the best and most child-appropriate elements from each of these approaches in order to produce natural and spontaneous behaviors and language.

1B) All Are Welcome:  Counseling Developmentally Disabled Children and Their Families
Joann Galley, PsyD, Director of School Psychology Services, John A. Coleman School, Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center.
Description: This presentation will address both theoretical models and practical applications of different treatment modalities when working with developmentally delayed children ages birth to 5, with an emphasis on developmentally-appropriate interventions.  Principles and case examples from psychotherapy, play therapy, medical play, cognitive/behavioral therapy, and groups will be presented.  Other topics will be pet therapy; team-work with other therapists in music and art; and new frontiers of treatment to address issues such as pain management and relaxation.  In addition, participants will experience hands-on exercises to explore different treatment modalities. 

1C) Nutritional Considerations in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Anne Roland Lee, MSEd, RD, CDN, Nutritionist, Celiac Disease center at Columbia University
Description: This presentation will include an overview of the gluten-free casein-free diet with emphasis on ingredients, label reading, and hidden sources. Nutritional adequacy of the gfcf diet, as well as practical tips and guidelines for handling taste, texture, and color issues will be covered.

10:30 – 10:45           Morning break

10:45 – 12:00           Concurrent Sessions (choose one)

2A) Rebecca School: Lessons Learned in Year One
Gil Tippy, PsyD, Assistant Director/Clinical Supervisor, Rebecca School.
Description: Rebecca School, a model DIR tm School for children with neurodevelopmental disorders of relating and communicating, opened its doors in September of 2006. Starting with 50 children, the school will eventually grow to 200 children in the 50,000 square foot facility at 40 East 30th Street in New York. Dr. Gil Tippy, the school’s Assistant Director/Clinical Supervisor, will talk about the experience of starting from scratch in opening a DIR tm school.

2C) Integrating Chiropractic Care into Management of Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Sharon Vallone, DC, FICCP, University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Mara Tabares, DC, Private Practice, Connecticut.
Description: This presentation will explore chiropractic care as well as its role in an integrated management approach with children who have been diagnosed on the autistic spectrum. We will discuss the basics precepts of chiropractic, therapeutic treatment protocols and provide a case study review to help promote a forum for co-management and support.

12:00 – 1:00 Box Lunch (included)

1:00   – 2:30  Concurrent Sessions (choose one)

3A) A Model Demonstration, Infant Mental Health Project
Gilbert Foley, EdD, Associate Professor of School-Clinical Child Psychology at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology.
Description: This presentation reviews the training, service delivery, collaborative efforts, and intervention approach employed by this Project, implemented in Harlem. It is an innovative design that employs leading training expertise utilizing the DIR/Floortime model. The grantee of the Project is Manhattan Center for Early Learning and it is funded by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

3B) Working with Parents: Description and Utility of a Parent Assessment Measure
Barbara A. Mowder, PhD, Professor and Director of Graduate Psychology Programs, Associate Chair of the Psychology Department, Pace University, New York.
Description: This presentation addresses the issue of professionals working with parents and introduces a relatively new parent assessment measure.  Based on over a decade of development and research, the Parent Behavior Importance Questionnaire-Revised is being utilized to discern parent perceptions of their parenting behaviors.  The measure is based on the Parent Development Theory and offers an avenue for professionals to discuss parenting activities and matters with parents of typical as well as special needs children.

3C) Good Night, Sleep Tight: Helping Your Child Go to Sleep, Stay Asleep and Wake Up Happy
Kim West, LCSW-C, Private Practice, Maryland.
Description: Kim West, known as the Sleep Lady® by her clients, has helped thousands of parents learn to listen to their intuition, recognize their child's important sleep cues and behaviors, and gently create gradual changes that promote and preserve healthy sleep habits. Ms. West will review sleep science basics, how quantity and quality sleep work together, the need for consistency in parenting and sleep coaching, and the basic principles of the Sleep Lady Shuffle. She will help you create positive sleep habits for your clients' children.

2:30   – 2:45  Afternoon break

2:45   – 4:00  Concurrent Sessions (choose one)

4A) Therapeutic Interventions for Children with Autism
Molly Nozyce, PhD, Director of the Neurodevelopmental Service at Jacobi Medical Center and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University
Description: This presentation will provide an overview of the therapies currently being used with children diagnosed as autistic. Medical, behavioral, psychological and academic treatments will be presented. The theoretical background of these therapies will be discussed, along with evidence of treatment efficacy. Non-traditional treatments will also be examined.

4B) Supporting Infant Mental Health:  Gaps and Opportunities Across Child Serving Systems 
Susan Chinitz, PsyD, Director, Early Childhood Center and the Center for Babies, Toddlers and Families, Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Description: This presentation will provide an overview of the field of infant mental health, with particular focus on the children most at risk, and findings from neuropsychological research that underscore the importance of intervening early to support young children's social- emotional development.  It will the describe models that have been implemented in a clinical setting, and in multiple generic settings such as primary pediatric care, preschools and child care programs, as well as within the child welfare system including foster care agencies and family court.  It will discuss advocacy initiatives within New York City, and the results of these efforts.

4C) Fostering Resilience among Children At-Risk for Developmental Delays
Geraldine, Oades-Sese, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Graduate School of Education, Fordham University
Description: Fostering resilience (achieving positive outcomes despite adversity) is critical to the development of children who are at risk for developmental delays. This presentation is geared toward the understanding and assessment of resilience among at-risk preschoolers with a focus on language development. Dr. Oades-Sese’s research has found bilingualism to be a significant protective factor among at-risk Hispanic American preschoolers within the context of other child characteristics (e.g., temperament, emotional regulation, autonomy, and acculturation). Identified profiles of resilient and vulnerable children will be presented and linked to evidenced-based interventions that promote healthy social-emotional development and positive academic outcomes.

Concurrent One Day Workshops

You may select one of the all day workshops below which will occur concurrently with the presentations above. There are no additional fees for these workshops.

P.L.A.Y. Project Workshop

All Day Workshop presented by Richard Solomon, MD
9am – 4pm
Dr. Solomon is chair of the Autism committee for the Michigan Chapter of the Academy of Pediatrics. Under Dr. Solomon’s direction, The PLAY Project has trained 1000’s of parents and professionals nationally. The project will be published in the journal AUTISM in May. Dr. Solomon has also received a prestigious NIH grant to evaluate the PLAY Project. For more information on his popular work go to www.playproject.org. This training program is being conducted nationally and has recently been adopted in several states.

This one day workshop focuses on the Developmental, Individualized, & Relationship Oriented (DIR) model of Stanley Greenspan MD. The model is especially useful for young children (age 1.5-07) with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This model can be used in conjunction with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques. This workshop uses lecture, videos, and case studies to achieve the following objectives:

• Describe current trends and research in ASDs
• Describe how ‘affect’ drives growth and development
• Explain the importance of the neurological ‘Comfort zone ‘
• Appreciate a new perspective on repetitive behaviors
• Describe basic DIR (Floortime’) principles, strategies and techniques
• Use DIR intervention techniques with children with ASDs

The Son-Rise Program: Implementing Breakthrough Strategies for Children with Autism and Other Related Challenges

All Day Workshop presented by Ms. Carolina Kaiser
9am – 4pm
Ms. Kaiser will present some of the The Son-Rise Program's innovative techniques that parents and professionals can use immediately to help children. The Son-Rise Program received worldwide attention from the media, including The New York Times, CNN, BBC, and received praise from individuals such as Jimmy Carter, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Bernie Siegel, and Coretta Scott King. The book, Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues which told of Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman's journey to help their own son recover from autism, and their other books, have 3 million copies in print. It has been translated in 22 languages and is required reading at 280 universities worldwide. Please go to www.autismtreatment.com for more information about their breakthrough program and professional trainings.

This full-day workshop will teach the essential building blocks of The Son-Rise Program®, a dynamic therapy for children with autism and other related challenges. The Son-Rise Program was created by authors and teachers Barry Neil and Samahria Lyte Kaufman when their son, Raun, was diagnosed as severely and incurably autistic. Although advised to institutionalize him because of his “hopeless, lifelong condition,” the Kaufmans instead designed an innovative home-based, child-centered program in an attempt to reach their little boy. The Kaufmans’ unique program, which was a complete departure from existing methods of treatment, transformed Raun from a mute, withdrawn child with an IQ of less than 30, into a highly verbal, interactive youngster with a near-genius IQ. Bearing no traces of his former condition, Raun graduated from an Ivy League university and currently works as the CEO of The Autism Treatment Center of America where the Son-Rise Program is taught. For nearly two decades, the Kaufmans and their dedicated staff have been helping thousands of parents reach children who were previously considered unreachable.

The Breakthrough Strategies workshop will include detailed lecture and hands-on practice for each of The Son-Rise Program fundamentals. The Son-Rise Program teaches that autism and related challenges are based on a difficulty with social interaction, not a lack of intelligence or ability. Through detailed explanation of each technique as well as hands-on practice of the techniques in action, workshop participants will learn to create deeper connection with each child and teach important social skills by using the child’s own motivation. The one day workshop has the following objectives:

• Creating connection through joining a child’s repetitious activities
• Making learning fun by using a child’s motivations in curriculum design
• Teaching social skills through interactive play
• Helping children “un-learn” challenging behaviors
• Creating the best learning environment to maximize social growth