Credit: WSAV

National, state and local autism experts will convene at the "2012 Lowcountry Autism Forum," Saturday, June 16, at Seacoast Church, 750 Long Point Road in Mt. Pleasant, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

By: News Release | WCBD News 2 Published: May 31, 2012 Updated: May 31, 2012 - 3:52 PM

Mt. Pleasant, SC - National, state and local autism experts will convene at the "2012 Lowcountry Autism Forum," Saturday, June 16, at Seacoast Church, 750 Long Point Road in Mt. Pleasant, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The admission-free event is open to the public. News 2's Carolyn Murray will be the emcee for the morning session. Physicians, therapists and software vendors will also participate in the forum sponsored by the Lowcountry Autism Spectrum Disorders Consortium (LASD) and MUSC Project REX, an outpatient treatment program for children with autism.

Keynote speakers at the forum will include Dr. Joe Horrigan, Assistant Vice President and Head of Medical Research and Leslie Long, Director of Housing and Adult Services, both from Autism Speaks, the nations largest autism science and advocacy organization. Some other speakers are: Dr. Carol Page, Director, South Carolina Assistive Technology Program, USC School of Medicine; Dr. Jane Charles, MUSC Developmental Pediatrician; and Dr. Frampton Gwynette, MUSC Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and founder of Project REX.

The forum will provide valuable research data as well as answers to everyday questions such as how to use an iPhone or iPad to help a child with autism and how to get reimbursement from medicaid/health insurance to pay for Applied Behavior Analysis [ABA], the leading therapy recommended for early intervention. The forum will explore the formation of a lowcountry association of autism therapists.

Autism is a developmental disorder affecting a child's ability to interact with others. It typically appears somewhere between birth and three years of age. There is no known cause, and at present the disorder is incurable; however the condition can be controlled through early diagnosis and treatment. The Center for Disease Control released a study in March showing that 1 in 88 children have some form of the disorder, a 23 percent increase since their last report in 2009.

LASD was established last spring under the pioneering leadership of Dr. Rob Scharstein, a West Ashley father of two adult sons with autism and a retired radiologist. Today, more than 20 local institutions and agencies have linked with the consortium in its mission to heighten autism awareness and support. To enroll in the June 16 forum, visit Lowcountry Autism Forum at http://www.scautism.org. For information call Dr. Scharstein at 843-225-5835. A free lunch will be provided at the forum.

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Autism experts will convene in Mt Pleasant for the 2012 Lowcountry Autism Forum