FGCU hosts second annual National Conference on Autism

Florida Gulf Coast University College of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences sponsor "The Road to Best Practice in Autism," a conference for physicians, parents and educators, Saturday, April 25, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Student Union ballroom. The conference is free and open to the public.

National experts in the research and study of autism and autism spectrum disorders will address a variety of topics, such as diagnosis and treatment, current research, communication alternatives, parents of individuals with autism and the community system, addressing behavioral concerns, and more at the second annual "Promising Pathways" conference.

"We're very pleased to once again partner with FGCU to present such an in depth look at autism as well as offer a symposium with essential topics. The conference will offer pertinent information for professionals in the medical and educational fields as well as parents and caregivers, and all those affected by and/ or interested in the study of autism," said conference Chairman Armando Galella, executive director of Eden Florida a nonprofit agency that offers lifespan services for children and adults with autism.

Keynote presenters include Dr. Mohammad Ghaziuddin, a child psychiatrist on the faculty of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has authored several scientific articles and book chapters on autism and Asperger syndrome. He directs the Autism Spectrum Disorders Program and child psychiatry training at the University.

Dr. Kiely Law, research director of Interactive Autism Network at the Kennedy Krieger Institute.

Dr. Paul Law, director of Medical Informatics at the Kennedy Krieger Institute.

Jose Martinez-Diaz, associate professor, is founder and chair of Behavior Analysis Programs at the Florida Institute of Technology, a department offering graduate degrees in behavior analysis in Melbourne and Orlando.

Anne S. Holmes is chief clinical officer for the Eden Family of Services in Princeton, N.J.

Reservations are required. Register at www.fgcu.edu/events/promisingpathways by April 17, or call 992-4680.

For more information contact project coordinator Peg Sullivan at 590-7748.