A Public Conference convened by The Center for Research on Ethical, Legal & Social Implications of  Psychiatric, Neurologic & Behavioral Genetics and The Hastings Center

Decades of research into the genetics of autism have revealed remarkable complexity. Not only is there no single gene for autism, numerous genetic changes can underlie the condition. With this surprisingly intricate genetic story has come an increasingly nuanced picture of how people with autism and their families understand the condition and make sense of autism genetics research.

Beginning with the work of Prof. Jennifer S. Singh, author of the book Multiple Autisms: Spectrums of Advocacy and Genomic Science (University of Minnesota Press, 2016), this conference will explore how autism emerged as a genetic disorder, what has been learned, and what is currently under study. Speakers from social science, genetics, and autism advocacy will explore how genetics research affects those who study autism and those who live with it.

PROGRAM:

12:30-1:00 – Registration

1:00-1:15 – Welcome and introduction to the conference: Ruth Ottman, Josephine Johnston

1:15-2:15 – Keynote Talk: Multiple Autisms: Spectrums of Advocacy and Genomic Science • Speaker: Jennifer S Singh, Georgia Institute of Technology

2:15-3:00 –  It Changed Everything and it Changed Nothing: What it Means to Receive a Genetic Cause of Your Autism • Speaker: Wendy Chung, Columbia University

3:00-3:30 – Break

3:30-4:15  – Neurodiversity, Autistic Identity and the Future of Autism Research • Speaker: Ari Ne’eman, Author, “The Right to Live in This World” (Simon & Schuster); President and Co-founder, Autism Self-Advocacy Network

4:15-5:00 – Looking Toward A Destination: Establishing Trust and Transparency in Autism Research • Speaker: Amy Gravino, ASCOT Consulting

5:00-5:30 – Panel and Audience Q&A: Panel: Jennifer S Singh, Wendy Chung, Ari Ne’eman, Amy Gravino; Moderator: Paul Appelbaum