Developmental Disabilities Institute General Public Speaker Series Returns for 2005

DDI Speaker Series 2005 is offering six insightful and helpful free seminars for those interested in learning about topics relating to developmental disabilities.

Smithtown, NY (PRWEB) January 2, 2005 -- Developmental Disabilities Institutes (DDI) Speaker Series is returning to the general public for a second year. Its 2005 Speaker Series is offering six insightful and helpful free seminars for those interested in learning about topics relating to developmental disabilities. Each session will feature a different expert in the field and will offer valuable tips and information regarding a wide array of issues pertaining to autism and developmental disabilities. All seminars will be held from 7 -- 9 p.m. in the lecture hall at DDIs Hollywood Drive Campus in Smithtown. Space is limited for the free lectures; anyone interested in attending should call 631-366-5875 to register.

Speaker Series Schedule:   
• Thursday January 27th: Dr. Dennis Gage, M.D., endocrinologist and author of The Thinderella Syndrome: A Practical Guide to Individualized Permanent Weight Loss, will refer to his book as he discusses several behavioral techniques to a healthy eating lifestyle. Dr. Gage is a clinical instructor at New York University Medical School and a clinical attending at Lenox Hill Hospital.

• Thursday, February 17th: Brian Goldman M.A., Christine Schulte M.A., and Jennifer Huttner M.A. will discuss their latest research in functional assessment which was previously presented to the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis.

• Wednesday, March 30th: Susan Connors, M.Ed., of the Tourettes Syndrome Association will talk about the relationship and overlap between Tourettes and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. She will also reveal helpful and practical teaching strategies to use when working within individuals with developmental disabilities.

• Thursday, April 28th: Maria Marini, M.S., Teacher Speech Hearing Handicapped (TSHH) certified, will review communication supports for children and adults with developmental disabilities that will include Picture Exchange Communication Systems and augmentative devices.

• Thursday, Mary 26th: Michael Stoltz, executive director of Clubhouse of Suffolk ,will explore the various challenges facing individuals with mental illnesses that will include ways of bringing together the broad spectrum of community based mental health recovery, rehabilitation and peer support services.

• Thursday, June 23rd: Dr. Chang Suh, M.D., Opti--Healthcare staff psychiatrist and psychiatric consultant at the Korean American Geriatric Center and the Phoenix House of Long Island, will speak about psychopharmacology and address the challenges of handling psychiatric emergencies.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Michael Romas at 631-366-5875 or via e-mail to mromas@ddiinfo.org

DDI, a non-profit, multi-site facility headquartered in Smithtown with more than 30 locations throughout Suffolk County, provides programs and services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. It was founded in 1961 by a group of parents to address the special education and therapeutic needs of their children who were characterized as having autism or other developmental disabilities. DDI is a member agency of the United Way of Long Island. For more information about DDI visit www.ddiinfo.org.

Contact: Allison Gayne
HLD/Blankman Public Relations
516-536-6811
agayne@hldbnow.com

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