Autism summit offers latest answers

The Kids Institute for Development and Advancement will present the latest developments in the research on autism in a comprehensible, “parent-oriented” format at the third annual Summit on Autism, the center’s founder said Friday.

Designed to be a “community service” to educate parents, family members and friends of those with autism, the two-panel summit will focus on two parts: autism and its impact on the family and technology’s impact on the syndrome, said Fariborz Maseeh, founder of the Irvine center for autism research, treatment and education.

“We think that there are a lot of great symposiums and scientific summits all over the country and the world, but they are more academic-oriented or research or medical-oriented,” Maseeh said. “The average family impacted, or actually the recipient of these methods, really doesn’t get a lot out of these symposiums, which are so technical.”

“The average parent is not a Ph.D. or an M.D.,” Maseeh added.

The summit will be 8 a.m. Sept. 17 at the UC Irvine Bren Events Center and will include a presentation and an opportunity for parents to ask questions.

“If anyone wants to interact with some of the field’s top researchers and learn what is the latest and greatest in information out there, then it is worthwhile for them to attend,” Maseeh said.

Panelists include Dr. Wendy Goldberg, professor of psychology and social behavior and education at UCI; Dr. Connie Kasari, professor of psychological studies in education and psychiatry at UCLA; Alison Singer, president of the Autism Science Foundation; Dr. Howard Shane, professor at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Center for Communication Enhancement and Autism Language Program at Children’s Hospital Boston; and Dr. Matthew Goodwin, director of Clinical Research at the MIT Media Lab and Co-Director of the Autism Technology Initiative at MIT.

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter will deliver a keynote address.

Tickets are $40 at https://www.kida.com/.