Publications
ROGERS TO REVIEW EARLY AUTISM INTERVENTIONS, HIGHLIGHT BEST PRACTICES
M.I.N.D. Institute distinguished lecturer will focus on reducing the disability of autism
June 8, 2006
(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — The UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute will host Sally J. Rogers, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the UC Davis School of Medicine, on Wednesday, June 14, at the M.I.N.D. Institute, 2825 50th St., Sacramento, as the closing speaker in its fourth annual Distinguished Lecturer Series.
Rogers will address “Early Intervention in Autism: Models and Outcomes” two times: once at 4 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. Targeted to parents of children with autism and early intervention practitioners, her presentation will examine key differences in early intervention approaches, empirical data supporting each approach and what are currently considered to be the best practices for intervention. Both presentations are free and open to the public; no reservations are needed.
Rogers specializes in conducting research into early diagnosis and developmental-behavioral interventions for children with autism. She is a specialist in developmental processes — imitation, social-communicative behavior, motor skills, language and social interaction patterns — and how those processes are affected by autism. Her current autism research includes an intervention study for toddlers and a new study that involves parents delivering interventions.
Known for her “whole family” approach to patient care and treatment in her clinical practice, Rogers' overall message for parents of children with autism is to stay focused on the big picture.
“Autism is a treatable disorder,” she said. “We know that behavioral interventions work in terms of improving outcomes. My hope for all of the families that I work with is for them to see the possibilities. My goal for treatment is to ameliorate or remediate the disability associated with autism.”
Rogers has written extensively in her field, produced training videos and authored numerous articles and books, including the soon to be released Imitation and the Social Mind: Autism and Typical Development. Her many honors include the Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award from the New York University Child Study Center. She is the current president of the International Society for Autism Research.
The M.I.N.D. Institute's 2006-07 Distinguished Lecturer Series will be announced soon, with presentations scheduled October 2006 through June 2007 on the second Wednesday of each month, beginning October 11 with David Pauls of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University.
For more information about this and future lectures, visit the M.I.N.D. Institute Web site at mindinstitute.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu or call