Speakers

J. Michael Uszler, M.D.

J. Michael Uszler, M.D. is Board-certified Nuclear Medicine physician who has been using brain SPECT function imaging in childhood and adult brain disorders for 15 years, including autistic disorders for more than ten years. He is the founder and medical director of Santa Monica Imaging and Therapy Associates in Santa Monica, California and Assistant Clinical Professor of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at UCLA. His latest focus is on “Seeing autism from the Inside-Out.” i.e., using brain function imaging to look at regional brain function patterns in ASD, including co-morbidity factors such as seizure disorder, anxiety and mood disorders and obsessive/compulsive-like tendencies. His work has also included “spect scanning” to evaluate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the healing of brain injury and dysfunction, and is a medical advisor for the International Hyperbaric Association.

For Michael Uszler's biography, click here.

Jeff Bradstreet, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.

Dr. Bradstreet attended the University of South Florida for both undergraduate and medical school, graduating from medical school in 1979. While attending medical school he received research grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the American Cancer Society and the South Atlantic OB/GYN Society. He participated in research in the properties of HSV-1 and 2 replication with Dr. Gerald Lancz of the school's virology department.

He has been in Family Practice since 1984. In 1997, his son was diagnosed with autism and since then he has redirected his efforts to autism research and treatments. He is co-founder of the International Child Development Resource Center in Melbourne, Florida where he treats children from around the world. The center has two full-time physicians, several research assistants, behavior therapists and a consulting staff in clinical psychology.

Dr. Bradstreet has presented his research findings at conferences around the globe and has affiliations for research with Tulane, Washington University, St. Louis, Utah State University, University of Arizona, McGill University, University of Cambridge, Boston University, and University of Copenhagen. He has advised Congress and the National Academies of Sciences - The Institute of Medicine on his findings, and has numerous papers in the process of publication. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

For Dr. Bradstreet's biography, click here.

Valerie Paradiz, PhD

Valerie Paradiz, PhD, is a writer and the Director of Education at New York University Child Study Center’s Asperger Institute (www.aboutourkids.org). She is also the co-founder of the Open Center for Autism (www.oautism.org) and the former ASPIE School.

Her work developing pioneering educational programs for children with ASDs has been featured in the New York Times, Redbook Magazine, Autism Spectrum Quarterly and on Japanese Public Television. Valerie’s memoir, Elijah's Cup: A Family's Journey into the Community and Culture of High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome (Jessica Kingsley, 2005) is the compelling story of the author's experiences raising her autistic son, their involvement together in the grassroots self-advocacy community, and her own ultimate diagnosis with Asperger's syndrome. The book offers readers an insider’s history and celebration of autistic culture, including profiles of individuals who are now believed to have had autistic-like traits, such as visual artist, Andy Warhol, comedian, Andy Kaufman, and physicist, Albert Einstein.

Valerie has one forthcoming book written for the autism community and continues to publish literary non-fiction, including the recent narrative history, Clever Maids: The Secret History of the Grimm Fairy Tales (Perseus, 2005). 

For Valerie Paradiz's biography, click here.

Stephen Shore, MA

Stephen Shore, MA is the Executive Director of Autism Spectrum Disorder Consulting of Brookline Massachusetts.  Diagnosed with "Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies" Stephen Shore was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization.  Nonverbal until four years of age, and with much help from his parents, teachers, and others, Stephen Shore is now completing his doctoral degree in special education at Boston University with a focus on helping people on the autism spectrum develop their capacities to the fullest extent possible.

In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his book Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the newly released Understanding Autism for Dummies.

A board member of the Autism Society of America and president emeritus of the Asperger’s Association of New England, Stephen serves for the Board of Directors for Unlocking Autism, the Autism Services Association of Massachusetts, MAAP, and the College Internship Program.

For Stephen Shore's biography, click here.

Robert J. Krakow, Attorney at Law

Bob Krakow is an attorney in private practice in New York City. Bob started his legal career with the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), a consumer advocacy organization. In the 1980's Bob was a prosecutor with the New York Country District Attorney's office, serving as Bureau Chief of the special narcotics prosecution division. He founded his law firm in 1989, focusing on the trial of civil and criminal cases, and specializes in the representation of persons injured by exposure to environmental toxins and vaccines.

Bob is committed to working for individuals with disabilities. He is the Chairman of the Board of Lifespire, Inc., a 55-year old New York and New Jersey not-for-profit organization that provides residential, day habilitation, occupational, educational and medical programs and supports for more than 5,000 developmentally disabled adults and children.

Bob is a Board member of the National Autism Association and of Safeminds, organizations that promote the interests of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially in the area of scientific research. Most recently, Bob co-founded A-CHAMP (Advocates for Children's Health Affected by Mercury Poisoning), a national political organization that advocates for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Bob lives in New York with his wife and two children.

For Bob Krakow's biography, click here.