Summit Educational Resources to hold disorders conference
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

Experts say one in 166 children is born with autism spectrum disorder, and fewer than 200,000 people in the United States are affected by Asperger's syndrome.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health Web site, between 3 and 5 percent of children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, while thousands of other youths suffer from oppositional defiant disorder.

Summit Educational Resources will sponsor a one-day conference, "Childhood Disorders: Clinical Red Flags and Educational Strategies to Improve School Success and Family Life," from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 in Classics V Conference and Banquet Center, 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd. in Amherst.

The day will provide practical strategies in dealing with children who suffer from the diseases. Audience participants will include teachers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, parents and physicians.

Updated clinical studies will be discussed to teach what red flags professionals and parents should look for when dealing with a child who has difficulty with social skills, said Amy Jablonski, one of the day's speakers.

Children with autism spectrum disorder have delays in communication expressed usually prior to age 3, Jablonski explained. They also sometimes have delayed intellectual functioning.

Those with Asperger's not only express delays in communication but also have difficulties with socialization, Jablonski said.

"There is no cure for these diseases," she said.

But she noted that there are techniques that can be used to teach the children to be functional in today's society so that they do not need to be dependent on another person their entire life.

However, Jablonski explained that each case is different, and the techniques featured at the conference may not work for every individual.

The last part of the day will explore case studies of students with the disorders and provide strategies that can be implemented in the classroom and at home.

"Parents attend to figure out how to interact with the students at home and to know the schools are using the most up-to-date, practical techniques as well," Jablonski said.

The two other childhood disorders discussed will provide scenarios for children with ADHD and ODD.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health Web site, ADHD is a condition that becomes apparent in some children in the preschool and early school years. The youths have difficulty controlling their behavior and/or paying attention.

Children with ODD are oppositional from time to time, particularly when tired, hungry, stressed or upset. They exhibit frequent temper tantrums, excessive arguing with adults and active defiance against rules. They also deliberately annoy or upset people, blame others for their mistakes and seek revenge, the Web site stated.

Ellen Spangenthal, director of communications and public relations at Summit Educational Resources, said research is ongoing in determining the cause of these diseases and the rise in diagnoses.

The cost for the conference is $75 for professionals and $45 for parents and students. For more information or to register, call Tammy Hooper at 629-3401.

Summit is a private, not-for-profit agency providing a broad range of services to children and adolescents with autism, language disorders, hearing impairment and related developmental disabilities.