Event: DIR/Floortime Introductory Discussion Dates: July 22, 2008, 7:30-9:00PM Description: Floortime, based on the work of Stanley Greenspan, MD and Serena Weider, PhD., is an affect based program incorporating play activities as the child demonstrates interest. The Floortime therapist follows the child’s lead in play activities aimed at increasing engagement, circles of communication, and shared social problem solving. This informal talk will give the participant exposure to the concepts and practice of DIR/Floortime. There is no fee for attending. Please RSVP if you plan on coming.

Event: Open School for New Families and Area Therapists Dates: March 10, 2009, 7:00PM Description: Open school for new families on Tuesday, March 10th. Come see our new building, meet the faculty, and hear a 15 minute presentation on each of our programs. Area therapists and other professionals are welcome too. Please RSVP so we have enough handouts and refreshments. Please RSVP as a handouts folder will be made for each family. This event is for parents only. Please make arrangements for childcare.

Event: The Etiology of Autism - synthesis of the research on GAD receptor expression in early pediatric development Dates: August 8th, 2009 Description: $35 per person will include a boxed lunch from Toojay’s Deli, cold drinks, and coffee and tea. To register please RSVP here. Checks and cash payment will be accepted when registered guests arrive. Please make check payable to Read America. Professionals and parents are welcome. We're sorry but there is no childcare. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder which often leads to long term learning and psychiatric irregularities. Understanding the etiology of autism is absolutely imperative to recovery. During the morning we will illustrate how genetic predisposition along with diet, as well as chemically induced and life stress can lead to problems metabolizing the neurotransmitter glutamate (glutamic acid) into aminobutyric acid (GABA), and how that first cause links to problems with: poor attention, problems relating, problems with imitation, poor and delayed language development, problems making and carrying out plans, perseverative and obsessive-compulsive behavior, disrupted sleep patterns, sensory seeking and avoiding, poor eye contact, and resulting problems learning and remembering. With a clear understanding of the etiology we will move on to discuss diet and lifestyle changes and supplements that can initiate recovery. Lastly, but very importantly, we will survey specific social-emotional and cognitive therapies that have been shown to be highly effective for children recovering from autism. NOTE GAD receptor expression and diet have been linked to related sensory processing disorders such as central auditory processing disorder, mood disorder, and attention deficit disorder. Parents and therapists of children with these and related disorders are encouraged to attend.