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Author, Autism Breakthrough 

Co-Creator of the ACT (Autism Crisis Turnaround) Protocol & The Safe To Connect Autism Approach 

An international lecturer and graduate of the Ivy League’s Brown University with a degree in Biomedical Ethics, Raun K. Kaufman is the author of the book, Autism Breakthrough, and the co-creator of the Safe to Connect autism approach and of the ACT (Autism Crisis Turnaround) protocol, which pioneered the concept of the Neuro-Crash. The former CEO of an international autism training non-profit, Raun has spent more than 25 years developing innovative heart-led autism approached built around a true understanding of the autistic brain, nervous system, psyche, and experience and has worked with families and educators from over 100 different countries. He conducts lectures and seminars worldwide and was the recipient of the Best Presenter award at the national Autism One conference, given to the winner of a nationwide survey.

As a child, he was diagnosed with so-called “severe” (non-speaking) autism and recommended for lifelong institutionalization. Instead, his parents worked with him in a totally new way they developed, enabling him to blossom, grow, and, ultimately, accomplish everything his parents were promised he would not. A best-selling book and award-winning television movie were made about his journey. He has been interviewed by media such as National Public Radio, BBC Television, Fox New Channel, The London Telegraph, and People Magazine.

Safe To Connect: The Key to Relationship, Emotional Regulation, and the 3 Autism Neuro-States 

It will cover Neuro-Crashes (meltdowns & anxiety), facilitating emotional regulation, the 5 Autism Love Languages, and the 3 Autism Neuro-States

Yichien Su MS CCC-SLP

MNRI® Core Specialist and Instructor

Primary Reflexes and Communication Development

Applications in Neurodevelopment: Effects of Reflex Maturation for SpeechLanguage Development 

Dr Sonia McGowin D.C

Chiropractor, MAPS , FOCUS Certified physician

Dr. Sonia McGowin, DC is the owner of Covenant Pediatric Wellness Center. She is a pediatric Chiropractor and FOCUS certified doctor. She is also MAPS-trained and Webster certified. She is a graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City and lives in Jefferson City Missouri with her husband, Shannon in their newly empty nest. 

For 14 years, she was the Deputy Director of Outreach Services for the Judevine Center for Autism, working with families with autism across 92 counties of Missouri. The focus of her practice is children with complex needs, including learning disabilities, PANDAS, ADD/HD, autism, ARFID, PICA and oral restrictions. She uses a brain-based and biomedical approach to addressing their specific issues.

Dr. McGowin is also a parent of a child who had unique needs. As a toddler, her son displayed many troubling issues such as a severe speech delay, self-injurious and aggressive behaviors. Traditional medicine offered no hope or help for her family. After undertaking biomedical intervention, he entered kindergarten indistinguishable from his peers and is now a theater major in college. She considers him her first recovery story!

Understanding Oral Restrictions and Their Impact on Brain, Motor & Speech Development

Learning Objectives:

Understand the impact that oral restrictions (tongue, lip and cheek ties) can have on brain, motor and speech development.

Recognize the signs and symptoms of oral restrictions in the nursing mother, the infant, the older child and adult.

Compare and contrast typical oral frenula to restricted lingual, labial and buccal frenula.

Dr. Richard G. Boles

Medical Geneticist

Dr. Richard G. Boles is a medical geneticist and a pediatrician who specializes in mitochondrial medicine, functional disease (including cyclic vomiting syndrome, other atypical forms of migraine, and chronic fatigue syndrome) and autism spectrum disorders. His expertise stems from decades of both clinical work and research at a major academic center as well as from his most recent experience in cutting edge biotechnology and genomics. He uses an innovative and integrative approach in both diagnosis and treatment to best serve his patients.

Dr. Boles leads the NeuroGenomics program at NeurAbilities. Patients, physicians and other health care providers will be able to consult with Dr. Boles directly about reanalyzing previously done genetic testing results, advice for managing neurometabolic disorders, or to obtain guidance on choosing and interpreting genetic testing. Neurogenomics can help to unravel the biological causes and contributions for many diseases and disorders, as well as provide important information for changing clinical management, including:

• Mitochondrial Disease and Dysfunction
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities
• Chronic Pain, Fatigue, and Headache Disorders
• Epilepsy/Seizures
• Unexplained and Undiagnosed Disorders And Much More…

Education:

• University of Arizona – Biochemistry major
• UCLA Medical School
• Harbor-UCLA Medical Center – Pediatrics
• Yale University – Medical Genetics and Metabolic Disease

Experience:

• 10 years as a general pediatrician, mostly part-time
• 20 years as a medical geneticist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
• 20 years (overlapping CHLA) as faculty at the Keck School of Medicine at USC, including research and teaching
• 5 years as the Medical Director of Courtagen Life Sciences
• Participation in multiple organizations, past and present, including the Scientific Advisory Board of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and a Principal Adviser of the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association.

Genetic Testing in Autism Results in a Precise Diagnosis and Individualized Treatment Options in Most Cases

Katya Sverdlov, CFA, Esq.

Senior professional with strategic and problem-solving skills, strong interpersonal and negotiation skills. Experience in investment banking, risk management, project management, legal issues, business development, and marketing. Skilled people manager and mentor.

Katya is a co-founder and CEO of JelikaLite, a biotech company developing individualized solutions to children with autism and other neurological conditions. Concurrently, she is a principal of Sverdlov Law PLLC, a boutique law practice focused on estate planning and special needs planning. 

Katya earned a BA in Economics from Cornell University, holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, and received her JD from Brooklyn Law School.

The effect of tPBM on young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

Details: 

• Hypothesized Mechanism of Action
• Previous Research conducted by 3rd parties
• Research conducted by JelikaLite using Cognilum device
• Case studies 
• Current research / clinical trials and next steps Questions

Shannon Zish is the founder and director of Unspoken Thoughts in Virginia. She attained her MA in Developmental Psychology and is a level 4 certified RPM practitioner

Using RPM in the home to build hobbies and life skills beyond academics.

• integrating foundation skills into sessions 
• practicing skills in context
• building tolerance into independence