Asperger’s Disorder & Autism – An Update on Understanding and Interventions – This is a one-day seminar offered in three different states on sequential days by the New England Educational Institute. The seminar will be presented by Fred Volkmar, M.D., Director of the Yale Child Study Center and is designed for educators, professionals and family members working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The first part of the seminar will provide participants with a working knowledge of autism and Asperger’s disorder, including clinical features and their implications for daily functioning. The second part will summarize clinical assessment procedures used in developing an individualized profile of strengths and weaknesses relevant to program planning. The implication of such profiles for intervention will be emphasized. The third part of the seminar will focus on treatment and intervention guidelines, appropriate components of educational programs, specific teaching strategies, and approaches to addressing problem behaviors. Specific strategies for teaching social skills, communication, and other skills will be discussed. The final portion of the seminar will highlight current research findings on Asperger’s disorder and autism. New work on genetics, epidemiology, and the brain basis for these disorders will be discussed. Continuing education credit is available for professionals. The seminar will be offered in Mansfield, MA on Tuesday, Dec. 5th, Portland, ME on Wed., Dec. 6th and Nashua, NH on Thursday, Dec. 7th. The fee is $149. For more information or to register go to www.neei.org or call Carolyn at (413) 499-6584.