INSAR to Feature Special Session on Reduction of Severe and Challenging Behaviors in Profound Autism

Great news! The world’s largest conference about autism research, INSAR (International Society for Autism Research) will feature a special interest group (SIG) instigated by NCSA and led by one of its board members.

The SIG, “Reduction of severe and challenging behaviors in children, teens, and adults with profound autism,” will take place during the conference, held in Austin, Texas, from May 11-14, 2022. Its leader is Lee Elizabeth Wachtel, MD, Director, Neurobehavioral Units, Kennedy Krieger Institute, who is an expert in inpatient and outpatient treatment for severe autism, and serves on the NCSA board. The co-leader is M. Imtiaz Mubbashar, MD, a trainee at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. 

Challenging behaviors in individuals with profound autism present a tremendous physical, emotional and financial burden to individuals, families, and providers. These behaviors include aggression, self-injury, elopement, and property destruction, among others. Yet, this population is under-represented in autism research and management strategies for these behaviors are poorly integrated across provider disciplines. This SIG provides a platform for collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders to discuss both established and emerging approaches to reducing these behaviors.

This SIG addresses an urgent priority for the autism community. It will encourage necessary clinical, scientific, and policy exchange designed to increase quality of life, with outcomes (such a resources, research, training initiatives) that help prevent dangerous behaviors, identify treatable co-occurring physical and mental health conditions, reduce disparities in service access, and reduce practices involving seclusion and restraint. The topic is of such enormity it warrants a conference of its own.

SIG advisors include:

Deborah Bilder, MD, Professor, Department of Psychiatry in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Utah, inpatient and outpatient consultant for managing severe agitation in individuals with severe autism.

Matthew Siegel, MD, Director of the Developmental Disorders Program, Maine Behavioral Health, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics of Tufts University and Faculty Scientist, MMC Research Institute, who specializes in inpatient and outpatient treatment for severe autism.

Audrey Thurm, PhD, Director, Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Phenotyping Service, Office of the Clinical Director, NIMH, lead author of a recent paper on improving research on severe autism.

 Nathan Call, PhD, BCBA-D, Clinical Director, Marcus Autism Center. Psychologist, Associate Professor, Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, whose research includes the assessment and treatment of severe behavior disorders.

Henry Roane, PhD, Upstate Medical University Professor of Pediatrics, Division Chief of Center for Behavior, Development, and Genetics, co-author of more than 100 research articles and chapters as well as several academic texts on the assessment and treatment of behavior disorders in children with autism and related disorders.

Amy SF Lutz, Vice President, National Council on Severe Autism and Founder, EASI Foundation, who is the author of books on severe autism, founder of nonprofit aimed at treatment for individuals suffering from aggression and self-injury, and is the parent of a son with severe autism.

Alycia Halladay, PhD, Chief Science Officer, Autism Science Foundation, a leading autism advocate, and research expert.

Jill Escher, MA, JD, President, National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA) and Founder, Escher Fund for Autism, a research and programs philanthropist, advocate, expert on stakeholder priorities, and parent of two children with nonverbal autism.

Judith Ursitti, Vice President, Community Affairs. Council of Autism Service Providers, and expert on insurance and behavioral therapy service provision, and also the parent of a son with severe autism.

Gloria Satriale, D, Ed.D, LBS-PA, ACRE, Executive Director, PAAL Program, and expert on educational and behavioral interventions for severe autism. Provider of services for youth and young adults with severe autism, and the parent of a son with severe autism.

Learn more about INSAR 2022 here: https://www.autism-insar.org/page/2022AnnMtg