NAC Main Conference Schedule

Puberty: Surviving Teens, Hormones & Rage

By Dr. Anju Usman

Treating Hormones, Rage, Dysautonomia and Aggression
Adolescence is a time for learning and change, however for many patients on the Autism Spectrum puberty can be a rough transition to adulthood. Hormonal changes may trigger issues in sleep, adrenal function, and blood sugar regulation which may lead to abnormal mood and behavior. Abnormal hormone regulation can also lead to an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. By addressing these underlying issues symptoms of aggression and rage can be helped greatly.

Overview of the Biomedical Approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder

By Dr. William Kracht

This presentation will provide participants with a detailed overview of the biomedical approach to ASD 

Biomedicine focuses the underlying impaired physiology and root causes of ASD, instead of simply managing your child’s symptoms. Biomedicine represents a paradigm shift in your child’s care, in attempt to provide our children with the necessary and appropriate treatment for their individual conditions. The biomedical approach is the foundation for helping your child.

In ASD, multiple biomedical processes can be impaired, including, but not limited to: methylation, detoxification, gastrointestinal processes, and immune dysregulation. The dysfunction of these systems leads to viscous cycles in our children. The biomedical approach concentrates on redirecting these vicious cycles through a comprehensive investigation into the sources of the problem, followed by treatment of the causes of the dysfunction.

Dr. Kracht will overview the vicious cycles in ASD, including what parents should expect from a biomedical evaluation including: initial evaluation, laboratory workup, and treatment. The audience will gain a broader understanding of what is broken and what approaches can improve it. In this regard, a number of interventions and treatments will be reviewed. A diagnosis of ASD can be overwhelming to parents, this presentation aims to give parents a comprehensive review of the biomedical approach… from start to finish.

Adult Services for Autism

By Holly Bortfeld

The world of services for adults with disabilities is vastly different than it is for children. Since our “kids” are adults much longer than they are children, it’s imperative to understand the services and get it right from the start. This presentation will discuss timelines, service models, waivers, guardianship, employment, housing and much more.

Resilience: Preventing COVID and managing post-COVID syndromes

By Dr. James Neuenschwander

We have spent over two years dealing with SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19. There has been a relentless barrage of medical information offering nothing but bad news and anxiety. Those of us in the field have known, almost from the beginning, that the public narrative did not match the outcomes we see in our practices. In this presentation, I will discuss COVID in children and some of the potentially negative outcomes that can occur. I will also review the reasons why these negative outcomes occur and identify areas for potential treatment and (most importantly) opportunities to create resilience and significantly reduce the risk of those negative outcomes. By the end of this presentation, participants should have a discrete set of things they can do for themselves and their children to prevent COVID complications and address a COVID infection if this occurs.

Keynote Address: Believe!

By J.B. Handley and Jamie Handley

Hear from the authors of "Underestimated: An Autism Miracle" that Inspired the Documentary Film, "Spellers".  

Pandemic Lockdown & Disabilities: Lessons learned when the world shut down

By Holly Bortfeld

In March 2020, the whole world changed drastically. What was introduced as a short-term shutdown, has languished into years. However, no other community felt the lockdown quite like the disability community. All the years spent fighting for funding, services, IEPs, ISPs, etc. all came to a screeching halt, overnight. While lockdown was absolutely an inconvenience for everyone, explaining – and enforcing - lockdown to our kids, who thrive on rigidity of schedule, was almost impossible. This presentation is a discussion about what happened, and what to do, when schools, programs and service providers close.

Mast Cell Activation

By Dr. Michael Elice

Dr. Elice will explain the role of mast cells and how they contribute to what we call 'allergy'.  The effect of mast cell activation and dysfunction on the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders will be discussed.

Demystifying PANS/PANDAS: A functional medicine guide on basal ganglia encephalitis: Healing through case studies

By Dr. Nancy O’Hara

PANS & PANDAS are complex autoimmune diseases that require a multi-system approach. PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep) involves antibodies from a strep infection reacting with brain tissue (specifically the basal ganglia in the brain) and triggering an abrupt onset of immune dysregulation and movement, learning and behavioral problems including OCD, anxiety and tics. With PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), other infectious etiologies besides strep (yeast, viruses, other bacteria, parasites), toxic exposures, and metabolic abnormalities are among other potential triggers for the immune dysregulation resulting in an abnormal autoimmune reaction and negative behavior, physical, and cognitive changes. POTS or Dysautonomia can often be associated with these autoimmune disorders and also needs to be assessed and treated appropriately. Through case studies, Dr. O’Hara will discuss the latest research in the assessment and treatment of these devastating but recoverable illnesses.

More Than You May Believe: How well do we really know our children?

By Judy Chinitz

Every parent of a child with ASD has experienced the moment when their entire world view shifted, as some medical or educational professional told them that their child has a life-long, severe, developmental disability. For me, it was March 22, 1996, at 11:00 in the morning, with a developmental pediatrician at Mount Sinai Hospital, in New York City. If you think back to that life-altering day, it was also the moment in which you were told of all the many limitations such a disability would place on your child: he may not talk, so won’t be able to go to a normal school. She’ll never understand normal human interactions or she likely won’t be able to do this or that. Then the testing began, and you are given stacks of papers that emphasize in black-and-white just how “disabled” your child really is - just how “limited.” And that’s when the labels begin to be bandied about by all those professionals: autism, PDD, developmentally disabled, cognitively disabled, nonverbal…and my personal favorite: low-functioning.

I am a professional: I am a licensed New York State special education teacher, and yet at that moment - the most vulnerable of my life - I too turned to other professionals as a life-line. In the early 1990s, I had specialized in teaching the blind and visually impaired. I had no knowledge of autism beyond the basics that I was taught in a cursory moment in graduate school: it is the most severe developmental disability. These children hate to be touched, live in a world of their own, have no interest in other people, do not have normal language, and are typically cognitively affected. Exactly what I had been taught in my graduate program is what I was told by those professionals. And then, as you all know only too well, year after year after year, you are told the same things over and over and over again: your child is this or that. Your child cannot do this or that. These are the limitations because your child has this or that label. There is no blame ascribed here: just like me, this is what those professionals have been taught and they would be remiss in not passing on that information.

My son is named Alex. His story is not different from so many of yours. He was tested by innumerable professionals. I KNEW his limitations. But when he was 25 years old - well past the time when most people have learned to accept “reality” - I learned that reality may not always be what we perceive on the surface. It is so easy to fall into the trap of believing that you KNOW something: that there is a hard truth that is absolute, definitive fact, and that absolutely no one on this planet could possibly argue with what you KNOW. I thought I knew my son. And I could not have been more wrong.

The worst mistake any of us can make, either as professionals or as parents, is to set limits on our children. And if you believe in pre-set limits, you not only may never discover just how wrong you are but, you may destroy any chance your child has of surpassing those limits. And what is more tragic than that?

Healing the Gut to Support the Brain

By Dr. Anju Usman-Singh

We are learning more daily about the role the gut has in brain health. The importance of absorption, digestion, the gut microbiome, vagus nerve function, SIBO/SIFO and motility seem to play a huge role in neurological health. In my experience, supporting the gut health through diet, exercise, nutrients and clean up protocols, such as biofilm protocols, motility enhancing agents, and binders can help support improved immune health and brain health.

Mold: Mycotoxins, Colonization, and Sensitivity: How to recognize and recover

By Dr. Anju Usman-Singh

Mold exposure is more common than previously thought, and in susceptible individuals, mold can lead to chronic symptoms and chronic inflammation. Mold can cause disease by producing toxins called mycotoxins. Mold spores can also colonize in our bodies especially the lungs, sinus, and GI tract. Some individuals are sensitive or even allergic to mold.

Eliminating exposure is the most important intervention. After remediation, addressing toxicity, supporting the liver, cleaning up the sinus and begin the healing process. Various binders and anti-inflammatory agents can be used to bring back balance to the body. Some individuals are extremely sensitive and may not tolerate detox. These individuals may need additional immune modulation such as LDA or LDI.

Addressing Genomic Variants for ASD Through Diet, Lifestyle and Supplements

By Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen

In this talk Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen will share case studies from her practice and the recently published proof of concept paper "Genomics as a Clinical Decision Support Tool" shows that outcomes in children with ASD can be improved by addressing common genetic variants.

The Latest Findings on Mitochondrial Issues in autism spectrum disorder

By Dr. Richard Frye

The mitochondria is important in neurodevelopment and dysfunction of the mitochondria is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). About 5% of children with ASD can be diagnosed with classic mitochondrial disease and these children may have certain characteristics such as fatigability, gastrointestinal disorders, unusual types of neurodevelopmental regression, seizures/epilepsy and motor delay. However, further research suggested that abnormalities of mitochondrial function could affect a much higher number of children with ASD, perhaps up to 80%. Recent research has identified unique types of mitochondrial dysfunction that might be associated with environmental exposures and neurodevelopmental regression. Several treatments that target mitochondria appear to have evidence for use in children with ASD, including cofactors such as L-Carnitine, and the ketogenic diet. Although the understanding of the involvement of mitochondria in ASD is evolving, the mitochondrion is clearly a novel molecular target that can help understand the etiology of ASD and treatments that may improve function in children with ASD.

Gut On Fire: The role of SIBO, Dysbiosis, and the power of leveraging the microbiome

By Dr. Julie Logan

The inflamed disrupted gut is a complex medical issue that we face in the biomedical treatment of children on the Spectrum as well as in many adults.  The resulting overgrowth of opportunistic and pathogenic organisms leads to the conditions we so commonly find –dysbiosis, SIBO, and suppressed immune function.  Dysbiosis is the imbalance of microorganisms Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth is this opportunistic overgrowth in the small intestine, amplified by an abnormal motility pattern of the intestines.  The damage created by this overgrowth leads to the inability of the intestines to do the work of digestion, which leads to more bacterial overgrowth, and thus the cycle continues-with ever increasing PAIN, bloating and misery.

Patients with multiple digestive problems, including children with autism may be at risk for developing SIBO. Dr. Logan will discuss the assessment, treatment options, and steps for correcting these imbalances and outline the road to recovery and relief from these complex conditions.  Additionally she will discuss some of the novel discoveries in leveraging the microbiome to counteract the destructive effects of antibiotic use and systemic inflammation.

Identification and Treatment of Seizures and Seizure-like Activity in Autism

By Dr. Dan Rossignol

Dr. Rossignol will review the evidence for seizures and epileptiform activity in children with autism, including the link between abnormal EEG findings and autism behaviors. He will also discuss normal brain function, the mechanisms of seizures in autism, and potential treatments. This lecture will review actual cases of children with autism to emphasize that these EEG problems are treatable.

The Full DNA Sequence of Temple Grandin and Many Others: How They Tell a Complex Tale of Multiple Pathways

By Dr. Richard Boles

Mitochondria, methylation, inflammation, microbiome, nutrition, and toxins, oh my! There are so many talks on the causes and treatment options for autism, but which ones are right? Learn what the full DNA (genome) sequence in thousands of people with autism tells us about the real causes of the disease. Dr. Boles will walk you through this complex subject using individual cases to show how modern genetic testing revealed the causes of disease, and in many cases identified a treatment that worked. In particular, the full DNA sequence (genome) of Dr. Temple Grandin will be used to illustrate the powers and limitations of genetic testing in autism in 2022. Additionally, information learned about the causes of autism are being applied to treatment regiments that can benefit many people for which genetic testing remains impractical. So, who was right and who was wrong? Come and listen. Hint, autism is complex, and most everyone has a valid point.

Dr. Boles is a Medical Geneticist with expertise in mitochondrial and other metabolic disorders. He completed medical school at UCLA, a pediatric residency at Harbor-UCLA, and a genetics fellowship at Yale. He received board certifications in Pediatrics, Clinical Genetics and Clinical Biochemical Genetics. For over two decades, Dr. Boles’ clinical and research focus has been on sequence changes in genes involved in energy metabolism, and more recently ion channels, and their effects on the development of common functional disorders. Examples include autism, pain syndromes, cyclic vomiting, bowel dysmotility, dysautonomia, depression, and SIDS. Dr. Boles practices the “bedside to bench to bedside” model of a physician-scientist, combining an active clinical practice with basic research into the underlying genetic predispositions leading to the same conditions. He has over 70 published papers, mostly in mitochondrial medicine.

J.B. Handley is the best-selling author of How to End the Autism Epidemic. Together with his wife Lisa, he founded Generation Rescue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to autism recovery. He and his wife also produced the documentary film Autism Yesterday. J.B. founded Swander Pace Capital, a middle-market private equity firm with more than $1.5 billion under management where he served as managing director for two decades. He is an honors graduate of Stanford University and lives in Portland, Oregon, with Lisa and their three children.

Jamison Handley is an eighteen-year-old nonspeaker who was diagnosed with autism when he was two years old. Thanks to a new communication method called Spelling to Communicate, Jamison is now able to fully communicate and switched from a “life skills” classroom to a regular academic classroom at his high school and will be graduating in 2022. He plans to attend college and study neuroscience. Jamison hopes to inspire others with his story and dedicate his life to advocating for the rights of all nonspeakers. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his family.

Holly Bortfeld is a single mother of 2 adults with ASD. A long-time homeschooler living in PA, Holly has been doing biomedical treatments since 1998 and now owns a homestead farm for men with autism. 

Located in York County, PA, Felton Homestead is a private biomed-friendly intentional residence where the residents require a strict dietary program and have similar medical and safety needs. The resident farmers grow as much of their own food as possible, learn skills to care for animals, garden, preserve, cook and much more.  

Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/FeltonHomestead/

JUDY CHINITZ, MS, MS
DIRECTOR
NEW YORK STATE LICENSED, SPECIAL EDUCATION
CERTIFIED S2C PRACTITIONER

My son, Alex, was diagnosed with autism at 2 years old and spent his entire school career in programs for the profoundly cognitively disabled.  As a special educator myself, I did everything I knew – and learned what I didn’t know – to try to teach Alex even one academic skill, and give him some means of expressing himself.  I spent those 21 school-age years failing to do either. While Alex seemed to have some receptive language, his expressive language was limited to just a few words, most of which were unintelligible. 

When Alex turned 21 and aged out of the public school system, I placed him in a daycare program for those with severe cognitive disability.  As far as I knew, his functioning level was that of a preschooler at best.  I love my son more than anything on earth, and thought I was doing the right thing when I sat him in front of Thomas the Tank Engine videos and read him Disney princess stories.

But…In July of 2019, when Alex was 25 1/2 years old, I discovered a method of teaching Alex to spell using a letter board.  It was mind blowing! I learned, then, that all the motor impairments I had recognized in my son all these years – the inability to control his eye movements, the inability to point normally, the inability to control volitional motor movements – had prevented him, for his entire life, from showing me that he has both normal language and exceptional intelligence.  He didn’t just know his letters, I discovered, but had been reading since he was 2 years old and knew more than I could ever have imagined!

At 27, Alex can now participate in life in a way I could never have dreamed of:  real interaction with his mother and brother, friends, conversation, games, education, are all now his.  In August, 2021, he passed New York State’s high school equivalency exam (TASC) with distinction – and in December, 2021, he was accepted early decision to the elite screen and play writing program at the State University of New York at Purchase, which he begins in September 2022.

If I had not witnessed what I have witnessed, I would not have believed it either.  In fact, when I began this process, I did it only because I never could bring myself NOT to try everything…not really because I believed Alex had intact language and cognition.

For obvious reasons then, I have devoted myself to bringing the gift of communication to everyone I possibly can. 

As both a parent and a professional, I can only say to you that you don’t know until you have tried this.  I had spent 25 1/2 years of my son’s life failing him because everything I thought I knew was wrong.  I didn’t really know my own child. 

I feel fortunate that my education and experience equips me to offer you this possibility, because you may not know your loved one as well as you think you do either.

Dr. Richard Frye, MD, PhD. is a Child Neurologist with expertise in neurodevelopmental and neurometabolic disorders. He received an MD and PhD in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University and completed his Child Neurology Residency and Fellowship in Behavioral Neurology and Learning Disabilities at Harvard University/Children’s Hospital Boston. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and serves on several editorial boards. He has conducted several clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of safe and novel treatments that target underlying physiological abnormalities in children with ASD. He is the Chief of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

In Underestimated: An Autism Miracle, Generation Rescue’s cofounder J.B. Handley and his teenage son Jamison tell the remarkable story of Jamison’s journey to find a method of communication that allowed him to show the world that he was a brilliant, wise, generous, and complex individual who had been misunderstood and underestimated by everyone in his life.

Jamison’s emergence at the age of seventeen from his self-described “prison of silence” took place over a profoundly emotional and dramatic twelve-month period that is retold from his father’s perspective. The book reads like a spy thriller while allowing the reader to share in the complex emotions of both exhilaration and anguish that accompany Jamison’s journey for him and his family. Once Jamison’s extraordinary story has been told, Jamison takes over the narrative to share the story from his perspective, allowing the world to hear from someone who many had dismissed and cast aside as incapable.

Jamison’s remarkable transformation challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding autism, a disability impacting 1 in 36 Americans. Many scientists still consider nonspeakers with autism—a full 40 percent of those on the autism spectrum—to be “mentally retarded.” Is it possible that the experts are wrong about several million people? Are all the nonspeakers like Jamison?

Underestimated: An Autism Miracle will touch your heart, inspire you, remind you of the power of love, and ultimately leave you asking tough questions about how many more Jamisons might be waiting for their chance to be freed from their prison of silence, too. And, for the millions of parents of children with autism, the book offers a detailed description of a communication method that may give millions of people with autism back their voice.

Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen, Co-Founder, Chief Science Officer, and Medical Director of IntellxxDNA, has been using genomics for over a decade to deliver personalized medicine and help her patients achieve optimal health and wellness. As a researcher and clinician advocate, she recognized that information inaccuracies and complexity were barriers to entry for many. She saw the need for an easy-to-use, accurate, science-based genomics interpretation tool for clinicians, and began to develop what is now IntellxxDNA™. In addition to being a well-regarded doctor and researcher, Dr. Hausman-Cohen is a sought after speaker and educator on genomics, personalized medicine and integrative medicine. Dr. Hausman-Cohen received both her master’s and medical degrees from Harvard Medical School. Board-certified in Family Medicine, she is a Fellow of the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine, possessing additional board certification in Integrative Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties. She has been practicing Full Spectrum Family Medicine and Integrative Medicine for more than 20 years.

Dr. David Dornfeld has been preventing and reversing illness at Family Wellness Center in Middletown, NJ, for 36 +years, while focusing towards "environmental medicine concerns" and how to repair those exposure related insults.

Throughout this time, he has developed a special interest in working with children with autism spectrum disorders since 2005, and encompasses many aspects of family medicine, osteopathic spinal manipulation, chelation therapy, IV infusions therapy, and hyperbaric therapies to help many improve.

He received his medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Maine and completed his residencies in Ohio and Colorado in 1986. He is board certified in family medicine (ACOFP) and board certified in anti-aging medicine by the International Society of Anti-Aging medicine in 2000. Dr. Dornfeld has been a member of ACAM, the American College for the Advancement in Medicine since 1994 and became double certified in chelation therapy through his training. He completed his Fellowship from MAPS (Medical Academy of Pediatric Special needs) in 2013, and helps train many professionals and parents in safe hyperbaric therapies, chelation therapies, Lyme related disorders (ILADS trained) and preventive medicine, both nationally and internationally.

Recently, Dr. Dornfeld was the only US physician asked to participate in an autism summit in Cairo, Egypt, expanding his guidance to help physicians in the Middle East combat the issues associated with recovering children and adults with autism.

Dr. John Gaitanis, a graduate of Brown Medical School, completed his neurology training at Children’s Hospital Boston. He went on to finish an epilepsy fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center before returning to Children’s Hospital Boston to join their epilepsy staff. While there, he co-founded the Comprehensive Brain Malformation Program, helping bridge clinical and basic science knowledge of these conditions. In 2004, Dr. Gaitanis returned to Brown Medical School and Hasbro Children’s Hospital where he served as the director of pediatric epilepsy. He aided in the development of ketogenic diet and epilepsy surgery programs at Brown, providing comprehensive epilepsy care for children in Rhode Island. He now serves as the Director of Child Neurology at Tufts Medical Center/Floating Hospital for Children. Apart from his clinical duties, Dr. Gaitanis serves as the Chairperson of the Matthew Siravo Memorial Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving epilepsy advocacy and education. Dr. Gaitanis’ research is aimed at improving the sensitivity of EEG through digital signal processing. He has also published original articles and book chapters on status epilepticus, cortical malformations, and epilepsy in infancy and childhood.

Dawnmarie Gaivin, RN, BSN, AT-ACP is the co-founder of Empowered2 as well as the founder of Transcending Apraxia, an S2C and purposeful motor skill clinic based in San Diego, CA. With a strong foundation in co-regulation and sensory processing as both a DIR/Floortime® provider and a registered S2C Practitioner, she has combined that with her credential as an Assistive Technology Specialist (AT-ACP) to support individuals’ access to reliable communication. She is also the proud mother of two autistic teenagers, Evan and Trey, who utilize AAC. Her children have inspired her specific passion to support non- and minimal speakers in finding their voice and developing the skills to live as authentically and autonomously as possible. Dawnmarie is as passionate about advocating for the right to communication choice as she is about breaking down barriers to access to quality education for nonspeakers.

Einstein once said “You can’t solve a problem with the same level of thinking that created it” and Dawnmarie couldn’t agree more: “Our nonspeaking citizens, if left without an effective means of communication and education, are a vital untapped resource that can surely help make our world a better, more connected place. It’s our duty to help every student share their gifts with the planet.”

Dr. Dana Johnson, PhD, MS, OTR/L is a cofounder of Empowered2, owner of Interplay Therapy Center, and Founder of Invictus Academy Tampa Bay, a non-profit private school for students with sensory motor differences. Dr. Johnson has a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and a PhD in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Development and has worked with individuals with motor and sensory differences for over 15 years. Her private practice opened in 2010 and has grown to serve children, adolescents and adults with motor and sensory differences, including autism, apraxia, sensory integration disorders, and other developmental disabilities.

Shannon Kenitz is the executive Director of the International Hyperbarics Association (IHA). The IHA is a non-profit organization that promotes the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for neurological conditions through education, research and fundraising of treatments for families in need. Ms. Kenitz has been working in the field of hyperbaric medicine since 2003 as a strong advocate for HBOT to treat children with special needs. Ms Kenitz has been instrumental in the education of primary physicians in the benefits of HBOT and is highly regarded as an expert on its treatment of neurological conditions. Since 2013, Ms. Kenitz has served as the Senior Administrator of the Medical Academy of Pediatrics Special Needs (MAPS).

Shannon Kenitz resides in Madison, Wisconsin with her two daughters Lily and Grace.

William G. Kracht, D.O., F.A.A.F.P. is board-certified in Family Medicine (American Board of Family Medicine) and Integrative Medicine (American Board of Integrative Medicine). He has extensive post graduate training in integrative medicine disciplines. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, an active member of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, the American Academy for the Advancement in Medicine and the American Association of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Dr. Kracht was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America at age 15 and currently serves as Assistant Scout Master of Troop 215 in Dublin, PA. He received his B.S. in Pre-Medicine with High Distinction and Honors in Religious Studies at the Pennsylvania State University. He received his Doctor of Osteopathy at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. While attending Penn State, he was the recipient of the Paul/David Wentroble Award for the Outstanding Premedical Student. He completed his family practice residency at Eglin Air Force Base and was named chief resident his third year. He subsequently served four years as an active duty family physician in the United States Air Force.

While serving in the Air Force, he held numerous positions to include Medical Director of Emergency Services, Medical Director of the Allergy Clinic, and co-founder and co-manager of the Women Survivors of Sexual Abuse Group. He was cited in the 11th edition of Who's Who in the World. While at Tyndall Air Force Base, he was deployed to Cuba to provide medical aid to the Cuban refugees at Guantanamo Bay.  Dr. Kracht was Tyndall's nominee for the Air Force Physician of the Year, 1994. He separated from the Air Force with three Commendation Medals, an Achievement Medal, a Humanitarian Medal and Honorable Discharge with the rank of Major.

Dr. Kracht is affiliated with the following hospitals: Grandview Hospital in Sellersville, Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, and Quakertown St. Luke's Hospital in Quakertown. He serves as a community preceptor for the family medicine residents at Lehigh Valley Hospital. He was the past chairperson of the Family Medicine Department at Grandview Hospital.

In addition to his conventional family medical training, Dr. Kracht has received additional advanced post doctorate training in Environmental Medicine and Allergy, Osteopathic Cranial Sacral Therapy, Homeopathic Medicine, Functional and Nutritional Medicine. Using the best of many medical modalities, he is able to provide an integrative, patient centered medical care that specializes in the individual patient; whether it be a common or complex problem. His comprehensive family medical care includes preconception care, newborn and child care, adolescent, adult and geriatric care all with the warmth and sensitivity of a family physician.

Dr. Kracht resides in East Rockhill Township with his wife, Terri and their children Taylor Marie, Zachariah William and Laurel Nicole.

Lesley M. Mehalick, J.D., LL.M. is a shareholder of McAndrews Law Offices and the supervising partner for the firm’s estates and trusts department. She is an accomplished estates and trusts attorney whose practice includes Estate Planning, Special Needs Trusts, Guardianship, Post – Litigation Planning, Personal Injury Settlement Planning, Trust Administration Counseling, Waiver Program Counseling, Medicaid/Social Security Compliance, Estate Administration, Elder Law Planning, and Orphans Court matters.

Ms. Mehalick has extensive experience in post-litigation planning and utilizing various techniques and trusts designed to meet the specific needs of the plaintiff, which may include maintaining eligibility for public benefits or making a plan to protect the monies. She regularly assists families in navigating through special needs planning, whether a young child, adult or elder family member is involved. These efforts include qualifying clients for public benefits when they receive a lawsuit recovery, preparing special needs trusts, bringing guardianship proceedings, and carefully crafting an estate plan that maintains a disabled family member’s eligibility for essential public benefits.

She is privileged to counsel clients regarding elder law issues and ways to protect the assets and promote the dignity of loved ones who may require skilled nursing care. She regularly appears in Orphans’ Court and she is a frequent lecturer to both attorneys and families on these topics. Ms. Mehalick previously practiced civil litigation in Northern Virginia, and she has litigated suits in both Virginia and Maryland. Prior to her private practice, she served as the judicial law clerk for the Honorable Stanley P. Klein, Judge of the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax County, Virginia. Ms. Mehalick holds an LL.M. (Master of Laws) in Taxation and a Certification in Estate Planning from the Villanova University School of Law, Graduate Tax Program, and she received her J.D. from the George Washington University Law School, where she served as the executive articles editor on the American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal.

James Neuenschwander, M.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Neu) has been practicing integrative medicine since 1988. He is the owner of Bio Energy Medical Center, a multidisciplinary, integrative medical practice with the philosophy of treating illness at its source using whatever tools are available.

Dr. Neu is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School and is board certified in Emergency Medicine, Integrative and Holistic Medicine, as well as Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. In addition, he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) as well as holds a certification in chelation therapy. He is a member of A4M, ACAM, and ILADS. He has been a DAN! Practitioner since 2007, a member of MAPS since its founding, and a MAPS fellow since 2014.

Nancy H. O’Hara, MD, MPH, FAAP

Dr. Nancy O’Hara is a board certified Pediatrician. Prior to her medical career, Dr. O’Hara taught children with autism. She graduated with highest honors from Bryn Mawr College and as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. After residency, chief residency and general pediatric fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. O’ Hara entered general private practice in 1993, and in 1998 began her consultative, integrative practice solely for children with special needs. Since 1999 she has dedicated her functional medicine practice to the integrative and holistic care of children with chronic illness and neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, PANDAS/PANS, OCD, Lyme and ASD.

She is also a leader in the training of clinicians, both in the United States and abroad. Dr. O’Hara has written a comprehensive guidebook, “Demystifying PANS / PANDAS: A Functional Medicine Desktop Reference on Basal Ganglia Encephalitis”, which will be available in Summer 2022 with pre-orders available in May 2022.

Dr. Dan Rossignol received his Doctor of Medicine at the Medical College of Virginia and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Virginia. Coming from an academic background, Dr. Rossignol searched the medical literature looking for a solution after both of his children were diagnosed with autism. He has made it his mission to research and publish in autism. In the last 14 years, he has 61 publications concerning autism and related conditions.

Dr. Rossignol has a special interest in autism spectrum disorders, PANS/PANDAS, cerebral palsy, and related neurological and developmental disorders as well as medically complex children and adults. Dr. Rossignol is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) and a Fellow/President of the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (FMAPS).

Lanier Rossignol, BSN, MSN, FNP-C is a board-certified family nurse practitioner trained in evidence-based medicine at the University of Virginia. She received her Master of Science in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Arts in Neurobiochemistry at the University of Virginia. After Lanier’s two sons were diagnosed with autism and traditional treatments seemed ineffective, God lead her down a path to discover underlying medical issues that were inhibiting her children from making progress. She has been compelled to help other families find their children’s treatable underlying medical issues. Therefore, she has joined her husband, Dr. Dan Rossignol, and his medical practice as a Nurse Practitioner to help families struggling with developmental delay, autism, cerebral palsy, chronic fatigue, attention issues, hyperactivity, mitochondrial disorders/dysfunction, seizure disorders, gastrointestinal issues, aggression, anxiety, PANS/PANDAS, and others. Lanier sees patients in our Aliso Viejo office.

Dr. Jason Sonners has always been fascinated by the machinery of the human frame and strives to learn everything and anything he can that might help even one of his patients. Always working to integrate new knowledge and practical experience, in addition to his Doctor of Chiropractic, Jason earned his Diplomate of the Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition (DCBCN) and his Diplomate of the International Board of Applied Kinesiology (DIBAK). He is one of only 250 professionals in the world with this distinction.

Dr. Sonners utilizes his combined training in various modalities to create comprehensive programs and help patients achieve their health goals. His patients are dealing with, among other conditions, a variety of autoimmune and neurological conditions, allergies, autism and cancer. He combines Chiropractic, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Nutrition, Exercise, Detoxification programs and more to naturally support patients and guide them through their health challenges.

Anju Usman Singh, MD, FAAFP, ABIHM, FMAPs, Hom-C

Dr. Anju Usman Singh is director and owner of True Health Medical Center and Pure Compounding Pharmacy in Naperville, Illinois. She also is the Chief Science Officer for True Healing Naturals. She specializes in biomedical interventions for children with ADD, Autism, PANDAS/PANS, Down Syndrome and related disorders. She has been involved in research regarding copper/zinc imbalances metallothionein dysfunction, biofilm related infections and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. She serves on the board for The Neuroimmune Foundation, and the medical advisory boards for TACA (The Autism Community in Action) and Autism Hope Alliance, as well as faculty for MAPs (Medical Academy for Pediatric Special Needs). Dr. Usman Singh received her medical degree from Indiana University and completed a residency in Family Practice at Cook County Hospital, in Chicago, Illinois. She is board certified in Family Practice and Integrative and Holistic Medicine (ABIHM), and holds a certification in Homeopathy.

Ms. Vicki Warren is an electrical engineer who has spent 30+ years investigating the impact of high frequency electromagnetic signals on the organic materials of high voltage insulation. In 2005, she was introduced to the fact that electromagnetic pulses can also have negative effects on organic human bodies. After intensive study and research, Ms. Warren and others started a non profit to educate and assist families to mitigate the effects of these signals. Several of the clients were families with a member diagnosed on the autism spectrum. The primary goal was to assist in the creation of “sleeping sanctuaries”. During sleep, it is important for the cell membranes to properly transfer nutrients and toxins, and in the presence of electromagnetic signals, hypersensitive individuals are often negatively affected. Vicki offers practical and afforable steps to improve your enviroment for the entire family.

Dr. Lindsey Wells is a naturopathic physician. She focuses her practice on pediatric integrative care for PANS/PANDAS, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Tick-borne Illnesses, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Also, she cares for the parents of her pediatric patients which allows for a comprehensive model of care for the whole family. She currently serves as the President of the Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association (CNPA) and is a Fellow of the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs. She frequently lectures on PANS/PANDAS and ASD to both professional and parent organizations, and is the author of the children’s book, Super Sam and the Battle Against PANS/PANDAS. In 2016, Dr. Wells was recognized as “Young Influencer in Naturopathic Medicine” by the AANMC.

Shannon Zish is the Founder and Director of Unspoken Thoughts. Shannon earned her M.A. in Applied Developmental Psychology from George Mason University and gained experience at a variety of non-profits and therapy centers in addition to working privately with individuals and families. She brings her experience with RDI, TEACCH, and DIR/Floor time, ABA, and RPM (Level III Provider) to her students and instructors through Unspoken Thoughts.

Mycotoxins: The Hidden Cause of Inflammatory Illness

By Dr. Julie Logan

Mycotoxin exposure is more common than previously thought, and in genetically susceptible individuals, can lead to crippling illness. Biotoxin mediated illness can look and act just like Lyme disease, and often goes along with a Lyme infection.  Unresolving inflammation and severe symptoms in many body systems is the hallmark of this disease, earning the name Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)

We are discovering more and more frequently that many of our patients with severe inflammation, allergies, compromised immune function, Mast Cell Activation Disorders, Autism, Pandas, Lyme diagnoses, etc are actually a mold exposure that has been undetected, creating the inflammatory storm that underlies many of these conditions.

In this presentation Dr. Logan will discuss the discovery, diagnosis and treatment of this illness, and discuss its possible relationship to PANS/PANDAS, as well as it’s role in Autism severity.

Novel approaches to managing aggression and self injury

By Dr. John Gaitanis

Self-injury and aggression are significant challenges for many children with autism.  These behaviors can result in injury in the child or caregiver and have major implications for the child at home and school. Families can experience social isolation and unbearable levels of exhaustion. The limited choices for professional supports and respite care are matched by the paucity of available medical options.  Standard medical approaches do not address the underlying causes for these behaviors, such as pain or inflammation.  Likewise, behavioral approaches are often ineffective and ignore medical etiologies.  This talk will focus on treatment approaches that are overlooked by standard medical care and will provide the available evidence supporting alternative treatment options.

Optimizing Your Family’s Health

By Vicki Warren

Are you optimizing your family’s health? We live in a world where toxins and environmental issues are overloading our bodies and our minds. We cannot change the world, but we can certainly change our own living environment! Learn the critical tips and tricks to minimize toxic indoor air, tap-water pollutants, and hazards posed by electromagnetic radiation. This talk will leave you informed, and empowered!!

The Persistent Cell Danger Response (CDR): Clinical strategies to optimize mitochondrial health & metabolism

By Dr. Nancy O’Hara

Dr. O’Hara will examine the assessment and treatment of children and adults with chronic illness and how mitochondrial and metabolic issues can influence chronic illness. She will look at the latest research on the Cell Danger Response and its effect on mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and other theories and treatments of mitochondrial disease and its impact on optimal resiliency and biotransformation.

CBD Use In Autism Spectrum Disorders

By Dr. John Gaitanis

Cannabis medicine has advanced rapidly over the past decade and is being used to treat everything from chronic pain to inflammation.  There is now even an FDA approved cannabis-based product for the treatment of epilepsy. Given the breadth of conditions for which cannabis holds promise as a medical treatment, it is logical to explore its role in autism spectrum disorders.  Many of the associated medical concerns in children with autism, such as gastrointestinal distress, pain, inflammation, and epilepsy, point towards cannabis as a potentially efficacious treatment. This talk will review the current evidence for cannabis-based treatments in autism spectrum disorders and will provide guidance towards future applications.

What We Need You To Know: A panel discussion with Nonspeakers

By Young Adults of SEEN

As many as 40 percent of children with ASD are nonverbal. But that doesn’t mean they have nothing to say. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! NAC is proud to host nonspeaking young adults with autism, from the local PA Advocacy group: SEEN (Spellers Empowering Education for Nonspeakers).

SEEN‘s Mission:
• Raise expectations of nonspeakers’ abilities
• Inspire nonspeakers of all ages to communicate in all aspects of their lives by using letterboards, keyboards, and computer-based devices of their choice
• Advocate for the inclusion of nonspeakers in academic instruction with same age peers so that they can participate fully in society

These young adults wish to share their thoughts, answer any and all of your questions, and encourage others to see that everyone deserves to be heard. Their ultimate goal is to help every nonspeaking individual find their voice.

Speller Q&A with the Experts

By Dawnmarie Gaivin, Dr. Dana Johnson & Shannon Zish

This is your time to get all your S2C and RPM questions answered.

Living a Full Life: An overview & tips on increasing social opportunities

By Shannon Zish

We will explore RPM (Rapid Prompting Method) as a teaching method from getting started with the basics through application to advocacy and development of functional skills.

Seizure in ASD

By Dr. Richard Frye

A growing literature has demonstrated that seizures and epilepsy are prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder. In addition, many children have epileptic activity in their brain despite not having any obvious seizures. Epilepsy and seizure-like activity in the brain appears to be associated with more severe autism and are associated with other medical abnormalities. Research studies suggest that specific treatments may be effective for the treatment of seizures and seizure-like activity in children with autism and some studies suggest that such treatments may improve autism symptoms. This talk will discuss these points with an emphasis on treatment.

PANS and Lyme Disease

By Dr. Lindsey E. Wells

Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Lyme Disease are common autoimmune disorders that present with physiological, behavioral, and cognitive challenges. Acute onset of OCD, tics, anxiety, urinary frequency aggression, food restriction, and behavioral regression are among the many symptoms indicative of PANS. These symptoms manifest from strep, viruses, mycoplasma and other germs, which can lead to Autoimmune Encephalitis. Although no longer included the diagnostic criteria for PANS, Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses can complicate PANS symptoms and should be explored. This lecture will review clinical evaluation, and comprehensive treatment approach of PANS and tick-borne illnesses that focuses on antimicrobial and immune-modulating therapy. 

Empowered 2 Communicate: Teaching communication through spelling

By Dawnmarie Gaivin

Communication through spelling is a form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) that teaches the speller the motor skills to point to letters to spell as a form of reliable communication. It is exciting to know that one day your child will have the ability to communicate beyond their wants and needs! Fluent or open communication using a letter board or keyboard is the goal, however as with any new motor skill, it takes time and practice to build the skills necessary for fluency. This presentation will provide an overview of communication through spelling, define fluency and the do's and don'ts of practice to ensure that you and your speller are successfully navigating your pathway to fluency.

Achieving Successful Communication in Students with Complex Motor Issues

By Dawnmarie Gaivin

The term “complex motor” can mean several different things, from having multiple diagnoses to uniquely challenging sensory or motor systems. The bottom line is, when parents of these children first hear about communication through spelling they often think, “My child could never do that” and not because they don’t presume competence about his/her intelligence!  But rather, because they can’t even imagine their child pointing, or sitting, let alone staying regulated for an entire lesson. If that sounds like your child or you’re interested in observing some case studies of complex profiled students who are now all spelling openly on a 26 letterboard, then this presentation is for you. 

HBOT & Healing for Multiple Ailments in ASD

By Dr. Jason Sonners

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used for treating chronic illness in children for years. This lecture will cover one girl's journey using Hbot while also discussing how Hbot can help with chronic illness in children and young adults with Autism , CP, Mitochondrial disorders, GI disorders and more. He will cover how decreasing inflammation through the use of Hbot can change the body's way of healing these conditions.

Environmental Issues within ASD including Lyme: Practical Detox Strategies

By Dr. David Dornfeld

The environment around us is constantly changing and usually not for the better. We MUST be able to recognize, try to avoid, and then remove these toxins safely so they do not negatively affect our health and metabolism. Many children and adults with ASD have alterations in their biochemistry and genetic polymorphisms, whereby they are disadvantaged in the ability to cleanse and nourish their cells ideally. We need to first identify the harmful ingredients to avoid (i.e., heavy metals, chemicals, GMOs, plastics, hormone disrupters, pesticide exposures) and then identify and treat effectively many of the complicated tick-borne diseases as well as Mold exposures.

It is no longer “You are what you eat,” but should be “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT-EATS, WHICH YOU CANNOT EXCRETE.” Once we can identify these harmful agents, we need to determine how to safely rid these toxins, recognize and properly treat for Tick borne diseases, reduce the inflammatory processes they create, and oxygenate the tissues in order for tissue repair to be optimized. Safe Hyperbaric therapies Lyme concerns and chelation therapies will be overviewed.

I hope to be able to share a great deal of information on how to safely repair ourselves, especially since many environmental insults are growing around us exponentially as WE NEED TO RESTORE OURSELVES TO A MORE HEALTHFUL STATE!

Movement differences in autism: Why behavior is not always communication

By Dana Johnson, PhD, MS, OTR/L

Parents and caregivers are familiar with the terms "severe autism", "behavior", or "cognitive delay". However, terms such as "purposeful motor", "coaching the motor", or "brain/body connection" may not be as familiar. This presentation will bring a new perspective to "behavior is communication" as we redefine these terms according to more current research and up to date information in the field of autism and movement related differences. If you want to understand your child's sensory motor profile so that you have the tools to support them in their daily life, please join us!

Note: This Session will be presented as a prerecording, due to a last minute emergency.  Dr. Johnson is hoping to join us live via Zoom during "Spelling Q&A with the Experts"