Autism and Developmental Disorders Colloquium Series 

Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, MD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Alberta

“Clinical and research issues related to pushing the boundaries of early diagnosis of autism”

May 8, 2007

6-8 P.M.

Simches Building , Room 3110, 185 Cambridge St. , Boston ( Charles River Plaza) 

Refreshments will be served

Hosted by Partners Center for the Study of Autism and Related Disorders 

Supported by The Simons Foundation, The Anne and Paul Marcus Family Foundation, and The Autism Treatment Network

Colloquia sponsored by The Autism Consortium

With increased awareness of early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD) and strong community support for early screening, an increased number of younger children are being referred for diagnostic assessment for possible autism. Although this presents opportunities for earlier initiation of intervention and improved outcomes, there is limited data on the stability of ASD diagnosis in children younger than age 2 years, and there are many outstanding questions regarding factors that influence the timing of referral and diagnosis. This presentation will highlight advances in current knowledge about patterns of symptom onset in ASD, and their relation to timing of diagnosis, focusing on recent data from prospective studies of high-risk infants.

***Please reply via e-mail to Dave Plancon (dplancon@partners.org) if you plan to attend.  If you are not an MGH employee, you will need a temporary ID badge to be admitted to Simches 3.  Simply request this in your e-mail response; you may pick up your temporary badge from security personnel in the Simches lobby before the lecture.  Parking is available at MGH's Fruit St. and Parkman St. garages; see Dave Plancon at the event if you need a sticker to cover your parking fee for the evening. You may also park in the lot in front of Simches; cost is $15 for two hours, $20 for three hours ***