Uniquely Human: A Different Way to See Autism and Create Pathways to Success

Autism Spectrum Disorders are often portrayed as a checklist of deficits, including difficulty interacting socially, problems in communicating and speaking, sensory challenges and repetitive movements. This "deficit-checklist" perspective leads to therapies that too often focus on ridding an individual of "autistic" symptoms. Dr. Prizant will share a compelling paradigm shift: the most successful approaches to autism don't aim at fixing a person by eliminating symptoms, but rather seeking to understand the individual's experience and what underlies the behavior. Instead of classifying "autistic" behaviors as a signs of pathology, Dr. Prizant will examine them as part of a range of strategies to deal with a world that feels chaotic, overwhelming and frightening. In a similar manner, parental reactions are often misunderstood and labeled from a perspective that does not respect and appreciate the family experience. Myths surrounding parental reactions and the notion that autism is nothing more than a "tragedy" will be challenged as we strive to develop a more balanced "Uniquely Human" perspective in understanding autism and the family experience.

Dr. Prizant will also discuss strategies for achieving greater success in collaborating with families such as: implementing family-centered practice principles, developing trust with parents, learning to listen and communicate with parents and providing innovative supports that make a difference in the life of the family. The afternoon will be spent in small group breakout discussions followed by a large group discussion.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, learners will be able to:

• Describe stereotypes and misunderstandings of the behavior of people with autism (ASD) and understand how to get beyond them with a more accurate, evidence-based view.
• Identify the experiences and respond to the concerns of parents of children with ASD in order to build collaborative and trusting relationships.
• Apply a “Uniquely Human” perspective to people with ASD to help modify and improve practices, and to help providers and service agencies be more responsive to the needs of people with autism and their families.

Target Audience: Physicians, psychologists, pediatricians, behavioral specialists, family members, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other providers working with people with autism spectrum disorders.

Schedule

• 8:30 am - 9:00 am: Sign In (Coffee and Breakfast)
• 9:00 am - 9:15 am: Introductions: Jennifer McLaren, M.D. and Elizabeth Humphreys, Ph.D.
• 9:15 am - 10:30 am: Lecturer Barry Prizant, Ph.D. CCC-SLP (1 hour 15 minutes)
  Uniquely Human: A Different Way to See Autism
• 10:30 am - 10:45 am: Break (15 minute Break)
• 10:45 am - 12:00 pm: Lecturer: Barry Prizant Ph.D. CCC-SLP (1 hour 15 minutes)
  The Essential Elements of Family-Professional Collaboration
• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Lunch (1 hour)
• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Small Groups (1 hour and 15 minutes)
• 2:30 pm - 2:45 pm: Break (15 minutes)
• 2:45 pm - 4:00 pm: Small Groups (1 hour and 15 minutes)

Accreditation

The Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of -----AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Partners

• The Child Psychiatry Department Autism Program at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
• The New Hampshire Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program (NH LEND), Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College
• Department of Pediatrics, Section of Medical Genetics at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and
• The University of Massachusetts Medical School - E.K. Shriver LEND Program.

Presenter

Dr. Barry Prizant is recognized as one of the leading scholars in autism spectrum disorders, with more than 40 years experience as a researcher and international consultant for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. He is an Adjunct Professor, Brown University, & Director, Childhood Communication Services. Publications include four books, 120 chapters and articles including The SCERTS Model manuals (2006), an educational approach now being implemented in a dozen countries. Barry has presented more than 700 seminars internationally and has received many honors including the 2014 Honors of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2005 Princeton University-Eden Career Award in autism, and the 2013 Divine Neurotypical Award of GRASP. His new book is Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism (Simon & Schuster, 2015).

$100