In 1998, the NLM Family Foundation began hosting a series of symposia in which invited professionals from various backgrounds and areas of expertise would convene to present their current work or research and discuss novel ideas for the advancement of autism research and treatment. Participating professionals have varied from neuroimaging researchers, neurologists, and pediatricians to special educators, psychiatrists, and speech and language pathologists.

The purpose of these symposia is to develop networks of people who can contribute to achieving the aims of the Foundation. NLM Family Foundation symposia are meant to stimulate the creative exchange of ideas that will enrich the field of autism research, education and service delivery. Importantly, they introduce influential thinkers in a format conducive to the development of productive relationships that will lead to positive changes in the lives of individuals with autism and their families.

The following list details the presentation topics, researchers, and primary focus of past NLM Family Foundation symposia, categorized by years.

Communications Initiative Annual Meeting- May 2009

The Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation, Wellesley , MA

A central theme of the NLM Family Foundation's funding programs has been the need to develop strategies to remediate the communication impairment that is such a prominent feature of autism spectrum disorders.  Towards that end, approximately two years ago the Foundation published a Request for Proposals seeking grants pertinent to this subject.  Over 140 applications were submitted in response to this RFP and, after peer review, 11 applications were selected for funding.  For this meeting, the Foundation invited all of the investigators who received funding to present the results of their work thus far. The purpose was for Foundation Trustees and staff to learn about the progress that grantees have made during the course of their funding from the NLM Family Foundation and to encourage a lively discussion about these research grants amongst all Communications Initiative grant recipients.

Auditory Processing Abilities in Autistic Individuals: Temporal Resolution Versus Temporal Processing Efficiency.

Jose Alcantara, Ph.D., University of Cambridge

Lucia Bigozzi, University of Florence

Lois Black, Ph.D., Oregon Health & Science University

ERP-based Communication Device for Nonverbal Children on the Autism Spectrum
Deniz Erdogmus, Ph.D., Northeastern University

Mirror Neuron System and Written Communication through FC in People: A Cortical Profile of Excitability and Inhibition by Means of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti, University of Rome, Tor Vergata Medical School

Impaired Speech and Motor Planning in Autism: The Role of the Left IFG
Hill Goldsmith, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin , Madison

Matthew Goodwin, Ph.D., MIT Media Lab

Receptive Knowledge in Individuals with Autism: Eye Movements, Pupillary Dilation, and Event-Related Potentials
Barry Gordon, MD, Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

Frank Guenther, Ph.D., Boston University

Computerized Games to Promote Verbal Expression in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Mohammed Ehsan Hoque , MS , MIT Media Lab

Sensory Stimulation
Michael Leon, Ph.D., University of California , Irvine

Insights on Developing Socially Assistive Robotics as a Tool for Socialization of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Maja J. Mataric, Ph.D., University of Southern California

Maria G. Palmieri, University of Rome, Tor Vergata

Developing and Testing an Intonation-based Intervention to Improve Communication Skills in Autistic Children
Gottfried Schlaug, MD, Ph.D., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Facilitated Communication in Boys with Autism: An Analysis of Linguistic and Nonverbal Interactions
Alda Scopesi, Centro Studi Sulla Comunicazione Facilitata

Efficacy of Psychosocial Treatments for Autism - April 2009

The Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation, Wellesley , MA

A central premise of developmental psychology is that early experiences can influence the genetically primed cascade of events involved in the maturation of neuronal circuits. Indeed, it is now recognized that all experiences leave their marks on the physical structure of synapses through the mediation of the biochemistry of synaptic plasticity. Autism is likely due to some interference of the normal developmental pathway of the nervous system, probably owing to a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors present during prenatal gestation or in the first years of life.

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is an early intervention for individuals diagnosed with autism that presumably targets synaptic plasticity through intensive behavioral modification with feedback control. ABA is not the only early intervention that appears to work (in some cases) for persons with autism. The Floor Time Model, developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, is based on providing positive behavioral feedback in naturalistic settings with the therapist modeling the movements and social encounter strategies of the person with autism as a means of engaging (in modern terms) the mirror neuron system.

A Boston Club held on April 27, 2009 titled "Efficacy of Psychosocial Treatments for Autism" focused on this area of inquiry. The purpose of this Boston Club was to examine other approaches to early intervention that might also work by engaging social patterning circuits in the brain. The Cornerstone Method of Reflective Network Therapy, discovered by Dr. Gilbert Kliman, requires far less time than ABA, and has proven particularly effective with children with mild to moderate autism. Their best results with children with autism have been with four times a week treatments of 15 minutes each, in a classroom setting, combined with weekly parent guidance.

Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) is another well-regarded program model aimed at meeting the needs of autistic people by using the best available educational approaches for this population known thus far and providing the maximum level of autonomy. TEACCH emphasizes understanding the culture of autism, developing an individualized person- and family-centered plan for each client, structuring the physical environment, and using visual supports to make the sequence of daily activities predictable and individual tasks understandable.

Kira Apse , MS , The Autism Consortium

Deborah Flaschen 

Matthew Goodwin, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Alexandra Harrison, MD, Harvard University

Predicting and Improving Language Outcomes in Children with Autism
Ted Hutman, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles

Vanda Marie Khadem, JD, Autism Higher Education Foundation

Reflective Network Therapy: in-classroom treatment for preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders

Gilbert Kliman, MD, The Children's Psychological Health Center, Inc.

Structured Teaching with Children and Adults

Gary Mesibov, Ph.D., University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill