The 12th Annual ICDL International Conference, will convene at the Hilton Hotel in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, November 7, 8 and 9, 2008.  This year the focus will be on: “Redefining the Potential for Emotional and Social Functioning in Children with Autism and Special Needs.” As in the past, this conference will bring together hundreds of parents, professionals and experts in the field for a rich and exciting convocation sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders.

This year, as in past years, the conference has been organized around plenary panels that bring together renowned speakers presenting the latest information on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Exploring the latest in neuro-scientific research and treatment, health and bioethics related to children with an autistic spectrum disorder or other special needs, presentations will focus on:

• New Research on Social and Emotional Gains and Changes in Brain Functioning in Children with ASD
• New Insights into Identifying and Treating Medical Conditions Associated with ASD
• A Bioethical Approach to Overcoming Problems with Behavior & Aggression in the Education of Children with ASD

Speakers will include Stanley Greenspan, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Science and Pediatrics, George Washington University, Serena Wieder, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and CEO, ICDL Graduate School, Ricki Robinson, M.D., MPH , Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Glen McGee, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief, The American Journal of Bioethics, Stuart Shanker, D. Phil, Professor of Philosophy and Psychology, York University, Richard Kelley, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Sarah Spence, M.D., National Institute of Mental Health, Beth Malow, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurology, Vanderbilt University and others.

Following their successful introduction last year, there are a series of concurrent afternoon seminars following the plenary panels on Friday and Saturday.  These special sessions will continue the discussions introduced in the plenary panels and also cover a wide range of topics in the areas of research, communication and language, sensory processing and regulation, DIR®/Floortime™, infant and early childhood mental health, education and parent perspectives.  Participants will be able to choose from among the wide range of topics and attend the seminars that interest them most.  These sessions will be led by leaders in the field including many of the DIR® Institute faculty.

There will opportunities for networking with parents, DIR® clinicians and Spanish language professionals. There will also be poster sessions highlighting the New Developments in the DIR® World!  The poster session will feature new "Innovative Applications of the DIR®/Floortime™ Model" in the U.S. and internationally across a wide range of research, intervention and training programs.

In addition, there will also be a full array of pre-conference workshops to attend for an additional fee on Thursday, November 8.  These workshops provide an opportunity to explore additional topics in depth with an extraordinary group of faculty.  Please join us!  For more information and to register for the conference please click here