Anaheim Autism/Asperger's Conference 2012

Featured Keynotes
Hidden Curriculum: Practical Solutions for Understanding Rules in Social Situations – Brenda Smith Myles, PhD, Wednesday Keynote



The Hidden Curriculum refers to the set of rules or guidelines that are often not directly taught but are assumed to be known.  This curriculum contains items that impact social interactions, school performance, and sometimes health and well-being. The curriculum also includes unspoken rules, slang, metaphors, body language, etc.  The Hidden Curriculum is intuitive for neurotypical individuals but needs to be taught to those with autism or other special needs. This session includes practical tips for teaching these hidden social needs to children and to adults and stresses the importance of making these a part of everyday life.



Brenda Smith Myles PhD, is one of the leading autism researchers and educators.  She has made over 500 presentations all over the world and written more than 150 articles and books on ASD including The Hidden Curriculum and Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments.  She served as the co-chair of the National ASD Teacher Standards Committee, and has received many honors and awards for her research and service.






Pretending to be Normal:  Living with Asperger’s Syndrome – Liane Holliday Willey, EdD, Thursday Keynote


Liane’s frank autobiographical story of life with Asperger syndrome before Hans Asperger’s research became well known and understood.  Her experiences and her caregivers intuitive assistance are shared in this talk.



Professor Liane Holliday Willey, who holds a doctorate in psycholinguistics, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 35 years old.  Since her diagnosis Liane has focused her research on female Aspies and language skills for people with Asperger syndrome.  Liane is the author of the international best selling books Pretending to be Normal,, Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence, and Asperger Syndrome in the Family, and a new book Safety Skills for Asperger Women.



Brain Development in Autism – Martha Herbert, MD, PhD, Friday Keynote



Dr. Herbert will summarize the major abnormalities that have been reported in the brains of children with autism, discuss how those abnormalities may relate to the symptoms of autism, and explain some brain tests.  She will discuss science suggesting that the brain may be able to recover from damage and abnormal development, may respond to treatment and may recover from autism.





Martha Herbert, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, and a pediatric neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she directs the TRANSCEND Research Program.  She is a leading expert on brain development and brain imaging in autism.  Her research is focused on how to use advanced brain imaging to better understand the problems in autism, how they develop in infants and how to treat them.  She serves on the Scientific Advisory Committee of Autism Speaks.


Schedule - At - A -Glance

Wednesday, February 22, 1011

 7:30-8:30 a.m. – Registration

8:30-8:45 a.m. – Welcome

8:45-10:15 a.m. &nda 


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