Oakland University
Tuesday, April 30, 2013

OUCARES symposium to explore medical issues in autism

Oakland University's center for autism (OUCARES) will host its 5th Annual Quality of Life Autism Symposium.
The rate of children in the United States diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising rapidly – last year the Centers for Disease Control reported one in every 88 children are being diagnosed with ASD. Recent research is indicating that it is now 1 out of 55. In Michigan public schools there are more than 15,000 students diagnosed with some form of autism.

As part of its commitment to improve the quality of life for those affected with ASD, Oakland University's center for autism (OUCARES) will host its 5th Annual Quality of Life Autism Symposium, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 20-21, at the Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac at Centerpoint hotel.

Titled "Medical and Biomedical Issues with Autism," the symposium is open to anyone interested in learning more about medical issues with autism, including parents, caregivers, pediatricians, doctors, dentists, nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, students in the fields of autism or medicine, educators and autism advocates.

The symposium will address:

  • The characteristics, causes and role of genetics in autism, and explain how the brain and immune system are affected in autism.
  • Underlying biological issues that affect individuals with autism, and evaluate treatment options and interventions.
  • How autism affects the brain and gastrointestinal system, as well as its effects on epilepsy and sleep disorders.

OUCARES has invited nationally recognized experts in the field of ASD to present at the symposium:

David Amaral, Ph.D., distinguished professor at the University of California Davis Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute. Dr. Amaral's internationally recognized research includes The Autism Phenome Project, the largest and most comprehensive assessment of children with autism ever attempted.

Dr. Margaret Bauman, an associate professor of neurology at the Harvard Medical School and director of Learning and Developmental Disabilities and Rehabilitation Services (LADDERS), who is a distinguished pediatric neurologist and research investigator and pioneer in the study and treatment of autism for more than 25 years.

Dr. Anju Usma, director of True Health Medical Center, specializing in biomedical interventions for children with autism.

Regular registration to the symposium costs $200. Student registration costs $100. For information about the symposium, view the website. To register, click here

For more information on the symposium, e-mail to oucares@oakland.edu or call (248) 370-2424.

Oakland University is a vibrant academic community with nearly 20,000 students and more than 260 degree and certificate programs. To learn more about academics, events, and achievements at OU, visit the news site at oakland.edu/newsatou and follow the news team on Twitter at @OaklandU_News.  
OUCARES will host its 5th Annual Quality of Life Autism Symposium May 20-21, at the Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac at Centerpoint hotel.

Created by Katherine Land - Deleted (land@oakland.edu) on Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Modified by Katherine Land - Deleted (land@oakland.edu) on Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Article Start Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2013