Autism

Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. The autism spectrum disorders (ASD) also include the related conditions Asperger syndrome and PDD-NOS, which have fewer signs and symptoms. Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Controversies surround other proposed environmental causes, such as heavy metals, pesticides or childhood vaccines; the vaccine hypotheses are biologically implausible and lack any convincing scientific evidence. The prevalence of ASD is about 6 per 1,000 people, with about four times as many males as females. The number of people known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved. Autism affects many parts of the brain; how this occurs is not understood. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. Although early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and communication skills, there is no known cure. Not many children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, though some become successful, and an autistic culture has developed, with some seeking a cure and others believing autism should be tolerated as a difference and not treated as a disorder.

The Help Group Lecture - Catherine Lord, PhD; University of Michigan - "Where is the diagnosis of ASD going?"

The Help Group Distinguished Lecturer Series

Presents

 

Catherine Lord, PhD

Director, University of Michigan Autism & Communication Disorders Center


"WHERE IS THE DIAGNOSIS OF ASD GOING?"

Wednesday - January 27, 2010 2:30 Pm - 4:30 Pm

 

Event detail
27 Jan 2010 - 14:30 - 16:30

Researchers Identify Autism Clusters in SoCal

Media Article Link: 
http://cbs2.com/video/?id=123805@kcbs.dayport.com

Dr. James McCracken, Campbell Professor of Child Psychiatry and director of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Semel Institute appeared Jan. 4 in a KCBS-Channel 2/KCAL-Channel 9 segment about so-called hot spots for autism around the state.

Why can't chimps speak? Study links evolution of single gene to human capacity for language

If humans are genetically related to chimps, why did our brains develop the innate ability for language and speech while theirs did not?   

 

Scientists suspect that part of the answer to the mystery lies in a gene called FOXP2. When mutated, FOXP2 can disrupt speech and language in humans. Now, a UCLA–Emory University study reveals major differences between how the human and chimp versions of FOXP2 work, perhaps explaining why language is unique to humans.   Published Nov. 11 in the online edition of the journal Nature, the findings provide insight into the evolution of the human brain and may point to possible drug targets for human disorders characterized by speech disruption, such as autism and schizophrenia.   

 

CART Autism Lecture - "Early Identification of Autism: The Promise and the Challenge" - Wendy Stone, PhD; University of Washington

The UCLA CART Autism Affinity Group Presents

 

Wendy Stone, PhD
Professor of Psychology

Director, University of Washington Autism Center

 

Early Identification of Autism: The Promise and the Challenge

 

Friday, 4 June 2010

  • Scientific Lecture: 9:00 -10:00 a.m.
  • Community Questions and Discussion: 10:00-10:30 a.m.

 

PLEASE NOTE LOCATION: Gonda 1st Floor Conference Room, Rm#1357

For further information, please contact Dr. Candace J. Wilkinson at 310-825-9041.

 

All are welcome! Coffee served ~ 8:30 a.m.

Event detail
4 Jun 2010 - 09:00 - 10:00

CART Lecture - "Strategies to Address Heterogeneity of the Autisms" - Pat Levitt, PhD; University of Southern California

The UCLA CART Autism Affinity Group Presents

 

Pat Levitt, PhD 

Provost Professor and Chair,

Department of Cell and Neurobiology;

Director, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute;

Keck School of Medicine of USC

 

Strategies to Address Heterogeneity of the Autisms

 

Friday, 7 May 2010

  • Scientific Lecture: 9:00 -10:00 a.m.
  • Community Questions and Discussion: 10:00-10:30 a.m.

 

PLEASE NOTE LOCATION: Gonda 1st Floor Conference Room, Rm#1357

For further information, please contact Dr. Candace J. Wilkinson at 310-825-9041.

 

All are welcome! Coffee served ~ 8:30 a.m.

Event detail
7 May 2010 - 09:00 - 10:00

CART Lecture - Janet Lainhart, MD; University of Utah

The UCLA CART Autism Affinity Group Presents

 

Janet Lainhart, MD

Associate Professor,

Psychiatry, Pediatrics & Psychology

Medical Director, University of Utah Autism Clinic;

Faculty Member, Neuroscience Program

& The Brain Institute, University of Utah

 

Brain and Beyond: The Biological Phenotype of Autism

 

Friday, 16 April 2010

  • Scientific Lecture: 9:00 -10:00 a.m.
  • Community Questions and Discussion: 10:00-10:30 a.m.

 

PLEASE NOTE *NEW* LOCATION: NRB Auditorium

For further information, please contact Dr. Candace J. Wilkinson at 310-825-9041.

 

Event detail
16 Apr 2010 - 09:00 - 10:00

CART Lecture - Carrie Bearden, PhD "A Recurrent Genetic Cause of Autistic Spectrum Disorder: 22q11.2 Deletion"

The UCLA CART Autism Affinity Group

 

Presents

 

Carrie Bearden, PhD
CART Pilot grant Principal Investigator; UCLA

 

Friday, 5 February 2010
Scientific Lecture: 9:00 -10:00 a.m.
Community Questions and Discussion: 10:00-10:30 a.m.

PLEASE NOTE LOCATION: Gonda 1st Floor Conference Room, Rm#1357

For further information, please visit our website at www.autism.ucla.edu
or contact Dr. Candace J. Wilkinson at 310-825-9041.

 

All are welcome! Coffee served ~ 8:30 a.m.

Event detail
5 Feb 2010 - 09:00 - 10:00

CART Lecture - Joshua Trachtenberg, PhD; UCLA – CART Pilot grant Principal Investigator

The UCLA CART Autism Affinity Group

 

Presents

 

Joshua Trachtenberg, PhD
CART Pilot grant Principal Investigator; UCLA

 

Friday, 8 January 2010
Scientific Lecture: 9:00 -10:00 a.m.
Community Questions and Discussion: 10:00-10:30 a.m.

Event detail
8 Jan 2010 - 09:00 - 10:00