CART "Autism 2013" Symposium
On February 1, 2013, the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART) presented its 5th Annual Symposium - "Autism 2013" at UCLA. As in prior years, this continuing education symposium was attended by nearly 200 people, including community practitioners as well as parents, researchers and trainees, who heard CART faculty present scientific and clinical practice updates in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Speakers included Drs. Dan Geschwind (genetics), Susan Bookheimer (neuro-imaging), Shafali Jeste (pediatric neurology, electrophysiology and clinical diagnostics), Tanya Paparella (clinical approaches to social communication), and Stephanny Freeman (clinical approaches to ASD behavior). A treatment update panel was led by Jim McCracken, M.D., who presented an interactive audience-response talk to assess current needs in ASD treatment; and Jeffrey Wood, Ph.D. (cognitive behavioral interventions for youth) and Amanda Gulsrud, Ph.D. (early intervention and developmental trajectories) provided research updates. An "Ask the Experts" panel concluded the day. Videos of the speaker's presentations along with the expert panel session are available below.