When it Comes to Autism, Can We Reconcile the Medical and Social Models of Disability?

Monday, May 8, 2023, 8:15 AM - 1:00 PM, Webinar

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (4.00 hours), CME-Designated Participation Credit (4.00 hours)

The conference will focus on two different perspectives of autism: the medical model and the social model. The medical model views autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder that requires medical treatment and recognition, particularly for those with severe forms of autism. The social model, on the other hand, considers autism to be a natural variation of human ability and identity that should be celebrated and accommodated like any other identity.

The conference will feature representative lectures from each viewpoint, offering insight into their unique approaches and understanding of autism. The lectures will be followed by a moderated panel discussion, where experts will highlight the strengths and limitations of each perspective and explore potential ways to reconcile these differing viewpoints.

The conference aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of the two viewpoints and offer a space for constructive dialogue and engagement. Ultimately, the goal is to promote a more nuanced understanding of autism that can benefit both individuals on the spectrum and society as a whole.

This CME is sponsored by: BANDS (Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental Services) at DHMC; NH-ME LEND Program, University of New Hampshire; LEND Program at Boston Children’s Hospital; Connecticut LEND Program at UCONN Health; Eunice Kennedy Shriver LEND Program at University of Massachusetts Medical School; Maine LEND at the University of New England; NJLEND – the Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; University of Rochester LEND at Golisano Children’s Hospital; Rhode Island LEND at Hasbro Children’s Hospital; Rose F. Kennedy Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center at Montefiore/Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Stonybrook University LEND at the School of Social Welfare; Brooklyn LEND at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University; Westchester Institute for Human Development

Learning outcome(s)
At the conclusion of this learning activity, (at least 75% of) participants will be able to apply the principles of both the social and medical model of autism spectrum disorder in the management of the care of children, adolescents and young adults.

Online registration for this program has closed. For questions, please email [email protected].

Registration is online and by credit card only. The registration fee is $45.

Preregistration and payment required. The registration deadline is 1 week prior to the activity date. There will be no refunds after the registration deadline has been reached. A $10 administrative fee will be retained on all refunds requested before the registration deadline. For registration questions, please e-mail [email protected] or call (603) 653-1234.

Bios

Moderator
Jason Fogler is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at Harvard Medical School, a senior staff psychologist, and the Director of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities at Boston Children’s Hospital. He is also a faculty mentor in clinical research at the Research Institute in Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria. Pertinent to this workshop, he is a longtime member of the Training Subcommittee of Boston Children's Hospital's Autism Spectrum Center, whose focus is the creation of an Autism-friendly hospital with sustainable continuing education, and workgroups devoted to the care of "complex ADHD" (ADHD with one or more co-occurring conditions) and successful healthcare transitions for young adults with intellectual and developmental disability.

Didactic Speakers
Gyasi Burks-Abbott is on the faculty of the LEND Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion. He graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN with a BA in English and psychology, and he has an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Simmons University in Boston. Gyasi has been both a LEND Fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital and a UCEDD Fellow at UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion. He’s contributed to and written articles for such publications as the Autism in Adulthood Journal, Autism Spectrum News, and the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal. Currently, Gyasi serves on the boards and committees of several autism and disability organizations including Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Last year, Gyasi published a book about his life called My Mother’s Apprentice: An Autistic’s Rites of Passage.

Carol Weitzman is a Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician and the Co-Director of the Autism Spectrum Center at Boston Children’s Hospital and Director of the CT Center for Developmental Pediatrics. She is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine. While at Yale, Dr. Weitzman was the Director of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) and oversaw the fellowship training in DBP. Nationally, she is a past president of the Society for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics and the immediate past chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Section of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. Dr. Weitzman is the author of the AAP Clinical Report “Promoting Optimal Development: Screening for Behavioral and Emotional Problems,” and the AAP Interim Guidance on “Supporting the Emotional and Behavioral Health Needs of Children, Adolescents, and Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” She is a member of the American Board of Pediatrics Sub-Board. Dr. Weitzman has served as the PI or site PI on a number of federal grants to reduce disparities in identifying children at risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder and to promote global collaboration of professionals with an interest in children’s development and mental health.

Panelists
Susan Baylis Jewel is the Manager of Family Support at The Autism Project and the parent of two adult daughters who are autistic. She is a Certified Community Health Worker who is trained in Picture Exchange Communication (PECS) as well as TEACCH Level 1. Susan’s team provides systems navigation, education, coaching, and advocacy to help families understand their child’s diagnosis and learn evidence-based tools to support their child’s development. Susan enjoys attending seminars and workshops to expand her knowledge.

Thomas Ledbetter is an advocacy fellow in the LEND program at the University of Rochester Medical Center and an autistic self-advocate. Diagnosed at 18 months old and often struggling with friendships and difficulties in the educational system, his passion for helping other autistic individuals find their own voices emerged. In 2016, he began to study Psychology as well as Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester and received his BA in 2020. In 2021 he pivoted towards the advocacy world and gained his master's degree at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education studying Human Development with a focus on developmental differences. Thomas has written and presented on multiple topics over his career. He hopes to advocate for autistic individuals, help them navigate complex systems and emotions, encourage their own sense of autonomy and mental health, and ultimately change how society understands autism and individual differences across all systems and domains.

Chase Mulvaney is a LEND Graduate and Self-Advocate from Rhode Island. His interest in disability advocacy comes from his experiences with dyslexia in public education and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Chase graduated from Salve Regina University with a master’s degree in international relations and politics and is passionate about improving access and intersectionality in the BIPOC and Differently-Abled Communities.

Minerva (Miny) V. Ortiz is the mother of five children with developmental disabilities and learning disabilities and a Bilingual Family Support Specialist at The Autism Project and The Children’s Neurodevelopment Center, at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Determined to have the best outcome for her children, she found a home at The Autism Project where she learned how to navigate the medical and educational systems in RI and support and educate families and professionals on resources and evidence-based practices. Miny enjoys supporting families during diagnosis and beyond. Through her work, she facilitates a Spanish Support Group and teaches Parent to Parent (a five-week parenting class) in both Spanish and English. Miny also provides training to early childhood educators about Autism, Developmental Milestones, Positive Behavior Supports and more.

Dartmouth Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Dartmouth Health designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Receiving Credit
The following steps must be completed in order to receive credit for this event:

• Register for the event online
• Attend the event or session(s).
• Complete the online evaluation (located under My Account in the top menu) - Must be submitted within 30 days after the activity

For questions or technical support, please email [email protected] or call (603) 653-1234.

For registration questions, please email [email protected].

If you do not wish to be included on the conference participant list, please email [email protected] to inform us.

The CME and CNE Offices are not liable for expenses incurred by participants due to cancellation or changes in programs.

Monday, May 8, 2023