News from SUNY Plattsburgh

For more information contact: Michelle Marasch Ouellette, 518-564-3095, michelle.ouellette@plattsburgh.edu

Expert to Speak on Autism and Similar Disorders, Sept. 10

Talk to Address Non-Drug Treatment of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

PLATTSBURGH, NY (08/21/2008; 0956)(readMedia)-- An expert in the holistic treatment of autism and similar disorders will discuss her methods and practices at a talk on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus in September.

Judith Bluestone, founder of the Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopment and Learning Efficiency Institute, will speak about effective evaluation and non-drug treatment practices for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, Asperger's syndrome, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia and Tourette's syndrome.

Free and open to the public, her talk will be held in the Krinovitz Recital Hall in Hawkins Hall on the SUNY Plattsburgh Campus, starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

According to Dr. David Hill, dean of education, health, and human services, the fact that there has been an explosion in the number of children diagnosed with such disorders means that there is a great need for the information Bluestone will share.

"There is a critical need for recognition of neurodevelopmental disorders early in a child's life and to treat those disorders with the most current and effective strategies," said Hill.

A non-profit organization, HANDLE has helped thousands of clients of all ages with a range of neurodevelopmental issues through its unique perspective and treatment methods.

In treating individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, HANDLE begins with a "systems" view of the body and mind. It looks at human behaviors as expressions of the functioning of the various parts of the body - especially the nervous system and the brain. Because various systems interact with each other, when one is stressed or disabled, another may be affected by the stress. For instance, eyestrain may cause a headache.

Through analysis, individuals can discern which systems are weak. These systems can then be strengthened to reduce symptomatic behaviors.

For more information on the HANDLE Institute, visit www.handle.org. For information on Bluestone's talk, call Hill at 518-564-3066.