Rationale:
Autism, including its possible causes and treatments, is a highly-charged, polarizing subject within the medical, public health, and even the autism community. Maine CDC/DHHS is hosting a medical conference to provide an update on the latest science on possible causes, diagnostic tools, and treatment of autism. The conference will feature several national researchers, Maine
treating physicians and an interactive format, allowing the Maine clinical community an opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues with presenters. Some areas that will be covered include some of the murky areas in causes and treatment of autism, particularly those treatments that parents embark on with or without the knowledge, guidance or approval of the child’s
physician. Examples include DAN, special diets, and avoiding vaccines. By addressing these more controversial areas, we hope to address one of the overall goals of helping to break down the barriers between physicians and parents in order to ultimately provide more comprehensive and collaborative care for children with autism
Continuing Education
Applications have been filed for 7 CME/CEU hours for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, EMTs and
paramedics, and are pending approval from the appropriate agencies.
The cost of the conference is $55 and includes lunch and materials. You may register using the On-line Registration form The conference location is handicapped accessible. Please call Elaine Lovejoy at 287-
3266 (TTY 1-800-606-0215) by April 24th if you require special accessibility, accommodations, or
a sign language interpreter. Registrations close on April 28th. The conference will be videotaped and available
online at www.mainepublichealth.gov by late May. DVDs will also be available.
Primary Audience
Pediatricians and other primary care clinicians who care for children Objectives
By the end of the conference, participants will be able to:
- Describe the trends of autism (Autism Spectrum Disorders = ASD).
- Identify the first signs and symptoms of Autism.
- Explain when and how to refer for specialized diagnostics.
- Apply universal autism screening with recommended tools.
- Describe the use of the AAP Autism Toolkit.
- Describe what is available for diagnostic and therapeutic services in Maine.
- Define co-morbidities to autism and ways to effectively identify and treat them.
- Identify effective strategies to address some of the challenges parents and children with autism face in clinical settings.
- Discuss the newest research on the causes of autism, including genetic and environmental theories.
- Discuss the newest research on the treatments of autism, including those that are commonly used by families, but not necessarily widely accepted by the medical community.
Conference Agenda
| 8:00 |
Registration, Networking, Coffee |
| 8:30 |
Introduction and Overview of Autism in Maine
Dora Anne Mills, MD, MPH |
| 9:00 |
Autism 101
Carol Hubbard, MD
Victoria Dalzell, MD
Mary Ellen Gellerstedt, MD
Don Burgess, MD
First signs and symptoms, Maine’s new screening tool, how and when to refer for specialized diagnostics, how a diagnosis
is made, AAP Autism Toolkit, diagnostic and therapeutic services in Maine. |
| 11:00 |
Keynote by Tim Buie, MD
Gastrointestinal and Nutritional
Co-Morbidities in Autism, followed by Q&A |
| 12:30 |
Lunch – Voices of Autism |
| 1:30 |
Keynote by Martha Herbert, MD, PhD
Genes and Environment, Developmental and Chronic: An Inclusive Approach to Autism Science, followed by Q&A |
| 3:00 |
Keynote by Jon Poling, MD, PhD
Looking Forward Beyond Vaccines: How Do We Know What Autism IS NOT if We Do Not Know What Autism IS? Followed by Q&A with other conference speakers. |
Speakers
Timothy Buie, MD
Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Massachusetts General Hospital
Harvard Medical School
Don Burgess, MD, Pediatrician
Past President of the Maine AAP
Southern Maine Medical Center
Victoria Dalzell, MD
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician
Maine Medical Center
Mary Ellen Gellerstedt, MD
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician
Eastern Maine Medical Center
Martha Herbert, MD, PhD
Pediatric Neurologist
Massachusetts General Hospital
Harvard Medical School
Carol Hubbard, MD
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician
Maine Medical Center
Dora Anne Mills, MD, MPH
Director, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
State Health Officer
Jon Poling, MD, PhD
Neurologist, Clinical Assistant Professor
Medical College of Georgia
Father of child with autism
