Families of Autistic Can Gain Contacts, Knowledge at Center's Conference

The Comprehensive Autism Medical Assessment and Treatment Center, at 266 King George Road in Warren, will host an event aimed at helping to provide a chance for local families with autistic members to meet and share experiences.

Additionally, the two-day Psychosocial Conference will introduce families to the staff and support that's available at the center.

The conference will begin Friday with a meeting for fathers and grandfathers—and men working with the autistic spectrum population—from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The center's Robert Naseef, PhD, a published psychologist will be the guest speaker, and a buffet dinner is included.

Saturday, families can participate in a number of events that will include both informative sessions for parents, siblings and professinal working with autistic chidlren and adults, but also activities for autistic family members.

Discussions and presentations will include Arthur Brand, PhD, on sibling issues, and a presentation on financial services during lunch.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with registration and breakfast at 8:30 a.m. 

The fee to participate in the conference is $10 per family (or professional attending). Professional development continuing education certificates of attendance will be available.

The conference follws the center's Oct. 16 Fall Festival, which drew several hundred area families to the site.

To register, or for more information, call 732-667-7778 or contact Deana Luchs, Autism Center and Parent Advocacy Coordinator at dluchs@autismthinktanknj.com.

The new center is developing a one-stop facility for families with autisitic children and family members. Along with the Autism Think Tank—a monthly special teleconference with medical experts from across the country for diagnosing autistic children with special medical needs—the center is helping to provide a single source of support, informaiton and advocacy for families with autistic members.