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The Autism Think Tank medical experts are affiliated with leading medical institutions across the US including Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Harvard Medical School's Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and UCLA Medical Center.
Dr. Paul Abend
Founder and Medical Director-
Autism Think Tank, NJ
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School
Dr. Timothy Buie
Award-Winning Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Boston Children's Hospital
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Harvard Medical School
Founder/Developer-
Autism Treatment Network
Autism Think Tank
Honorary Advisor
Dr. Margaret Bauman
Pediatric Neurologist
Associate Professor of Pathology-Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology-Boston University School of Medicine
Awarded "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the International Society for
Autism Research
Editor: "The Neurobiology of Autism"
Autism Think Tank Advisor
Dr. Charles Henry
Clinical Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist and
Psychopharmacologist
Assistant Clinical Professor-
Harvard Medical School
Autism Think Tank Advisor
Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer
Pediatric Pain Specialist
Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Author: "Conquering your Child's Chronic Pain"
Autism Think Tank Advisor
Dr. Raffi Tachdjian
Allergy/Immunologist
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics in the Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology at the UCLA School of Medicine
Founder: "Children's Music Fund"
Autism Think Tank Advisor
Dr. Talin Babikian
Neuropsychologist
Assistant Clinical Professor in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry within the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Autism Think Tank Advisor
Dr. Ralph Ankenman
Psychiatrist
Author: "Hope for the Violently Aggressive Child"
Autism Think Tank Advisor
Kathy Lutz, LCSW
Clinical Social Worker
Autism Think Tank Advisor
Randi-Jo Farrell, LSW
College Life Mentor
Carey Masson
Program Administrator
Sheri A. Marino, MA, CCC-SLP
Executive Director
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ABOUT THE
AUTISM THINK TANK
Individuals with autism frequently experience comorbid medical conditions that are difficult to diagnose. The symptoms of autism can be exacerbated by:
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Seizure Disorders
Polypharmacy
Sleep Disorders
Metabolic Disorders
Food Allergies
Asthma/Eczema
Seasonal Allergies
Pain of Unknown Origin
Clinical symptoms can present as aggressive or self-injurious behaviors that often lead to psychiatric hospitalization, emergency room visits, unnecessary pharmaceutical treatment and ineffective behavioral intervention. These commonly unrecognized medical conditions require medical intervention.
The Autism Think Tank, NJ brings together a multi-specialty team of world-renowned doctors from across the US to review medically complex cases of autism. Together with the patient's family and physician, our Think Tank doctors collaborate in a videoconference to discuss the patient's medical history and unresolved medical complications. Using a team approach, a comprehensive plan of care is developed considering all specialty areas. The family's doctors and local specialists implement this cohesive plan of care to help medically stabilize the individual and ultimately improve educational, therapeutic, and behavioral outcomes.
The Autism Think Tank helps to identify the underlying biological and physiological issues that are affecting the patient's well being, often creating a crisis in the family, school or community. Through collaboration with our experts, local physicians are learning to recognize and treat these comorbid medical conditions while learning to apply this knowledge when caring for other individuals with autism.
Using videoconferencing technology, families in rural and underserved areas around the globe can access our Think Tank experts without having the stress and high costs associated with traveling to reach medical experts.
For more information about The Autism Think Tank, NJ families or physicians should contact:
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THANK YOU TO OUR
2018 SPONSORS
Watchung Hills Regional High School: Men's Lacrosse Team
Women's Lacrosse Team
Football and Cheer Teams
Ice Hockey Team
Arnold A. Schwartz Foundation
Bnai' Brith
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The Autism Think Tank is 501(c)(3) (non-profit) organization that relies on individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants to fulfill its mission of providing medical videoconferences, community outreach, and education.
Your help will make a difference for families who live with the daily struggles of raising and individual with autism. It is our goal to offer the services of The Autism Think Tank all families regardless of their ability to pay. We hope you will consider making a tax deductible donation today.
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AUTISM THINK TANK
Click this link to see all of our family events and fundraisers!
December 23, 2018
Bridgewater Sports Arena Holiday Party & Toy Drive
August 18, 2018
Hillsborough Rotary Fair
Special Needs Family Event
June 16, 2017
Warrens Lions Expo Carnival
Special Needs Family Event
February 17, 2018
Wild Honey Orchestra and Friends play Buffalo Springfield
December 22, 2017
Bridgewater Sports Arena Holiday Party & Toy Drive
August 19, 2017
Hillsborough Rotary Fair
Special Needs Family Event
June 15, 2017
Warrens Lions Expo Carnival
Special Needs Family Event
May, 2017
Optimal Life
Parent Mindfulness Workshops
March 25, 2017
Wild Honey Orchestra Presents
The Band
Alex Theatre
Glendale, CA
December 23, 2016
Bridgewater Sports Arena Holiday Party & Toy Drive
August 20, 2016
Hillsborough Rotary Fair
Special Needs Family Event
June 16, 2016
Warrens Lions Expo Carnival
Special Needs Family Event
May 13 & 14, 2016
Psychosocial Conference
December 2015
Family Holiday Party and Toy Drive
The Bounce Factory
September 19 & 20, 2015
The Continental Drifters
(all members were represented for the first time, ever)
Santa Monica, CA
August 22, 2015
The Rain Parade and a reunited Baby Lemonade
(first show in over 10 years)
Santa Monica, CA
February 28, 2015
Wild Honey Orchestra
Presents
The Beatles
"White" Album
Alex Theater
December 23, 2014
Holiday Toy Drive
at
The Bounce Factory
September 28, 2014
Wild Honey Orchestra
and
Trunkworthy
Present
Big Star
Third and #1 Live
Wilshire Ebell Theater
Los Angeles, CA
Hillsborough Rotary Fair
Special Needs Family Event
Warren Lions Expo Carnival
Special Needs Family Event
June 2, 2014
Twilight at Ninety Acres
Featuring Jazz Legend
Bucky Pizzarelli
Ninety Acres at Natirar
Financial Resources Foundation Gala
The Palace at Somerset Park
Autism Awareness Month
Bounce Factory
Special Needs Family Event
March 1, 2014
Wild Honey Orchestra
Presents
Beatles Revolver
and Abbey Road
Wilshire Ebell Theater
Los Angeles, CA
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Press Box
Autism Medical Center
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AUTISM THINK TANK GRANTS AVAILABLE
The Autism Think Tank doctors help families and physicians stabilize medically complex individuals with autism by identifying unrecognized or unresolved medical issues that exacerbate the symptoms of autism and difficult to manage behaviors. Our Think Tank videoconferences are available to families and their physicians, across the US and abroad. For more information on available grants, please click on the link below.
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Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsor a Child- You can help subsidize the cost of a videoconference for a child needing help from The Autism Think Tank. Our
services are not covered by medical insurance.
Corporate sponsors are needed for all local and national events. Promote your business with these amazing opportunities to be recognized in press releases, websites, signage, social media and more.
Please email Sheri Marino at
sheri@autismthinktanknj.org
for more information
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News from
The
Autism Think Tank, NJ
We are proud to announce a major expansion of
The Autism Think Tank, NJ!
The renowned medical experts of The Autism Think Tank help families and physicians address the special needs of children on the spectrum whose complex issues are beyond the scope of typical professionals in the field.
T
o better serve families across the US and around the world who are living with the lifelong challenges of autism, the Autism Think Tank has
expanded our team and programs for 2019.
We are honored to introduce the addition of the following
distinguished physicians and professionals to
T
he Autism Think Tank
Harland Steven Winter, M.D.
Gastroenterologist
- Massachusetts General Hospital for Children
- Recipient of The Harvard Medical School Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service for working over 30 years with children and adults with disabilities
- Recipient of the Excellence in Treatment Guided Research Award from the Autism Society of America
Ricki G. Robinson, M.D., M.P.H.
Developmental Pediatrician
Paul E. Hyman, M.D.
Pediatric
Gastroenterologist
- Chief, Pediatric Gastroenterology, New Orleans Children's Hospital
- Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University
- Eberhardt Schmidt-Sommerfeld, MD, Endowed Chair in Pediatric Gastroenterology
Stefan Friedrichsdorf, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Pediatric Pain Specialist
- Medical Director, Department of Pain Medicine, Palliative Care & Integrative Medicine Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
- Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota
- Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics, double-boarded in Pediatrics (Germany, USA)
- Member of an interdisciplinary pain program devoted to prevent and treat acute, procedural, neuropathic, psycho-social-spiritual, visceral, and chronic persistent pain for pediatric patients.
Kelly Dorfman, M.S., L.N.D.
Licensed Clinical Nutritionist
- Adjunct Professor, John's Hopkins University
- Co-founder, Developmental Delay Resources
- Featured on CNN's American Morning and in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and Oprah magazine
- Author: "Cure Your Child With Food-The Hidden Connection Between Nutrition and Childhood Ailments"
Carole Samango-Sprouse, Ed.D.
Neurodevelopmental and Neurobehavioral Specialist
- Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
- Director, Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Center for Children
- APIB, BNABS, & ADOS-2 Certified and NDT Trained Neurodevelopmentalist
- Published more than 90 articles on the neurocognitive capabilities of atypical children
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Author: "X & Y Chromosomal Variations: Hormones, Brain Development, and
Neurodevelopmental
Performance"
Ankmalika Gupta Louis M.D., F.A.A.P., F.A.C.A.A.I.
Allergy/Immunology
- Hoag Hospital,
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Fellowships-University of California at Irvine and
Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
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Diplomat, American Board of Pediatrics
- Diplomat, American Board of Allergy & Immunology
Brynie
Collins
, M.D.
Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Dawn Apgar, PhD, LSW, ACSW
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Assistant Professor and Director of the Undergraduate Social Work Program at Seton Hall University.
- Former Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS)
- Served on national policy workgroups as a member of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS)
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Expertise in support services and resources needed for successful transition of individuals with autism who are leaving their educational entitlements
Stay tuned to learn about additional experts in autism who are joining our elite team of professionals to help support families and the physicians caring for their loved ones with autism.
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New Programs in 2019
The Autism Think Tank provides a wide array of services designed to support and facilitate the medical, educational, therapeutic, and psychosocial stabilization of the child and family across the lifespan. In addition to medical videoconferencing, the following programs are offered to assist
families and physicians caring for individuals with ASD:
Clinical Care Coordination
- A service for families who need guidance navigating appropriate medical, therapeutic, and educational services to identify solutions to challenges and ensuring best possible outcomes.
College Life Mentor Program- A mentor program for young adults with executive function difficulties, ADHD, and autism who wish to attend college and who would benefit from weekly Skype meeting with a mentor who helps keep the student on track with study habits, organization, routines, communications with professors, and provides social support if needed.
Physician Consultations- For families and their physicians seeking Think Tank follow up consultations with our medical experts.
Bridges to Transition- A program designed to provide support, training, and resources needed for successful transition of individuals with autism who are leaving their educational entitlements (on or before age 21). This program is designed to "bridge" the gap in existing services and help individuals and families envision what vocational, employment and/or day supports will be needed. A unique feature of "Bridges to Transition" is personalized planning with individuals and families, as well as education about adult service delivery systems to help inform decisions that best meet individuals' needs.
Webinars- An educational program for doctors, nurses, educators, and therapists in the US and abroad who wish to better understand how to recognize and treat the medical comorbidities of autism impacting health and ultimately effecting functional outcomes.
Optimal Life Wellness for Parents- A video series by Richard Grange and Chara Rodriguera designed to
help parents adapt more healthful ways to take care of their own emotional and physical well-being. These workshops help to reduce stress to ensure parents are fully present to care for their loved one with special needs. Parents can access the Optimal Life Videos and the Optimal Life Companion Manual to support the video series by clicking here:
For more information, email sheri@autismthinktanknj.org
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COMING UP.....
A Benefit for The Autism Think Tank
Get your tickets here!
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A Look Back at 2018....
December 23, 2018- The Autism Think Tank's 7th Annual Toy Drive and Holiday Party
It was a joyous event this year with over 300 guests in attendance and 40 volunteers from the Watchung Hills High School athletic teams! Children and adults with autism and their families were invited to ice skate with Santa Clause with the help of the athletes, and, every child received presents from Santa! More than 400 toys were generously donated by:
Whitestone Associates Inc.
Northeast Power Dry
Rocking Horse Rehab
Watchung Hills Men's and Women's Lacrosse Teams
Watchung Hills Football and Cheer Teams
Watchung Hills Ice Hockey Team
Community Friends
We are grateful for the generosity and support from our community!
September, 2018- West Moreland Academy Playground Project-$4,500 donation
Westmoreland Academy is A leader in special education in Southern California, and since 1974, has a program for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) based on the belief that extraordinary students deserve extraordinary programs. As part of our mission, The Autism Think Tank makes a commitment to community outreach and this year we selected the Playground Project at West Moreland Academy to be the recipient of a $4,500 grant to ensure their students have access to;
specialized sensory equipment, such as low-key musical instruments and sound wheels, elevated sand tables, water tables, interactive touch panels, and imaginative equipment. accessible play structure with ramps, pathways, maneuvering space, and transfer systems, special safety surfaces, grips, flooring, platforms, and rails for those with motor skills challenges. Most importantly, the playground will foster social interactions, cooperation, and sharing among children who traditionally struggle with social interactions.
August 18, 2018-Hillsborough Rotary Fair
The Rotary Club of Hillsborough, NJ hosted their 11th Annual Rotary Fair which opened one afternoon exclusively for guests with special needs and their families from the surrounding communities. Each year, The Autism Think Tank participates in the event which offers free admission, rides, and games as well as free food, water and ice cream to our guests! A record number of families were in attendance this year with 912 registered to enjoy a beautiful day at the fair!
June 16, 2018-Warren Lion's Expo
The Warren, NJ Lions Club hosted guests of The Autism Think Tank at the Warren Lions Expo carnival on an afternoon opened exclusively to children with special needs and their families. This year 583 people registered, a record number of visitors, who came to participate in a safe, sensory-sensitive activity the entire family could enjoy doing together. Along with free admission, the participants enjoyed free rides, games, and pizza too, thanks to the generosity of the Warren Lions Club!
February 17, 2018-
Wild Honey Orchestra and Friends play Buffalo Springfield featuring Richie Furay
The Wild Honey Orchestra and guest artists performed the music of Buffalo Springfield to another sold out house at The Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. Year after the year the Wild Honey Orchestra comes together, generously donating their time and talent to support the mission of The Autism Think Tank. The highlight of the evening was certainly the performances of Richie Furay, co-founder of Buffalo Springfield along with the members of the Wild Honey Orchestra. The Foundation successfully raised $25,000 to support our programs and families. We are beyond grateful to every artist who performed and especially producers Paul Rock and David Jenkins who continually outdo themselves show after show, year after year!
January, 2018- Optimal Life Wellness Video Series
Based on our successful Optimal Life wellness program offered in 2017, The Autism Think Tank has sponsored the production of a video series to help parents adapt more healthful ways to take care of their own emotional and physical well-being. Developed by Richard Grange and Chara Rodriguera, this video series is designed to ensure they are fully present to care for their loved one with special needs. After completion of the workshop, a father of a teenage boy with autism said, "I have an inner peace and inner calmness on a daily basis. I Feel better physically and mentally." This series can be accessed above under "New Programs in 2019"
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The services of
The
Autism Think Tank, NJ
have reached over
12,000
- individuals with autism
- parents and siblings caring for a loved one with ASD
- medical professionals working with children and adults with medically complex autism
- individuals touched by our education and advocacy efforts
Click on our interactive map
to see our global reach
Please take a moment to share our newsletter with friends to help us spread the word about our services and events!
We hope to see you at our next event!
Wishing you all the best in the New Year!
Sincerely,
Sheri A. Marino, MA, CCC-SLP
Executive Director
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