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The charity Naked Heart France announces its Second International Forum in Paris, entitled “Creating connection: evidence-based strategies to address challenging behaviors in autistic children”.

Monday October 23, 2023 in Paris, Naked Heart France is organizing its second international Forum “Creating a bond”, which is part of a series of events intended for parents, family members of autistic children, as well as 'to the professionals working with them. Autism is one of the most common developmental disorders, and the need for updated knowledge and support programs is significant worldwide. According to the most recent international data, one in 36 children could be autistic.

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This forum provides the opportunity for professionals and parents to meet experts in this field and connect with others facing similar challenges. Creating a community of support can be invaluable. Ultimately, it will contribute to the well-being and development of children with autism, and is of crucial importance to parents and professionals.

Date and times: Monday October 23, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Place: Auditorium of the LVMH headquarters, located at 22, avenue Montaigne, Paris 8th

Program:

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  • 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Welcome

  • 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Forum

    • Opening speech: Natalia Vodianova, founder of Naked Heart France, Paris, France.

    • Interventions include evidence-based strategies to address challenging behaviors such as aggression, self-harm, destruction of property, ingestion of inedible objects, and running away from caregivers in children with autism. Forum Speakers: Nathan Call, PhD, BCBA-D, Interim Vice President, Marcus Autism Center, USA, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Associate Division Chief of clinical affairs, autism and related disorders. Joanna Lomas Mevers, PhD, BCBA, Director of Clinical Operations, Marcus Autism Center, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Autism and Related Disorders, Emory University, USA. and Related Disorders, Emory University School of Medicine, USA. The Marcus Autism Center is one of the largest autism centers in the United States, providing a comprehensive resource for children affected by this disorder.

    • Questions and discussion

  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Discussions over a cocktail

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Nathan Call, Marcus Autism Center

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PhD, BCBA-D, received his doctorate in school psychology from the University of Iowa in 2003. He has worked at the Marcus Autism Center since 2006, serving in numerous capacities as a clinician and treatment program manager . He currently serves as interim vice president of the center. In this role, he oversees all clinical and research services and works with providers and other center leaders to develop new clinical innovations. Dr. Call is also a professor of pediatrics and associate chief of the Division of Autism and Related Disorders at Emory University School of Medicine. He has an active research program that includes publications and editorships for several journals, including serving as associate editor for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice. Dr. Call's current research focuses on the assessment and treatment of serious behavioral disorders. He has been a principal investigator in several federally funded randomized clinical trials and has conducted translational research in behavioral economics and measurement development.

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Joanna Lomas Mevers, Marcus Autism Center, Emory University of Medicine

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PhD, BCBA-D, is currently Clinical Director of the Marcus Autism Center and Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. Lomas Mevers received his doctorate in school psychology from Louisiana State University. She completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral internship at the Marcus Autism Center and Emory University. Dr. Lomas Mevers has over 20 years of experience working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and related developmental disorders. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors, such as aggression and self-harm. During these 20 years, she has worked with some of the most complex clinical cases. She also has extensive experience in urinary and bowel training for this population. Dr. Lomas Mevers' current research focuses on developing effective toilet training interventions and identifying behavioral treatments that are both effective and socially valid. She has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles on these topics, and she is a co-investigator in several federally funded clinical trials to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of behavioral interventions.

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Professeur Thomas Bourgeron, L’Université Paris Cité

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Thomas est membre de l'Académie des Sciences et professeur à l’Université Paris Cité. Il a découvert à l’Institut Pasteur les premiers gènes associés à l’autisme. Actuellement, son équipe rassemble des cliniciens, des scientifiques, des personnes concernées et des familles pour identifier des facteurs de risques/résiliences aux troubles du neurodéveloppement. Cette connaissance a pour but d’établir de meilleurs diagnostics et des parcours de soin et éducatifs personnalisés. Il est membre fondateur avec Richard Delorme et Ghislaine Dehaene du prochain Institut du cerveau de l’enfant qui ouvrira ses portes en 2027. Il a publié plus de 200 articles, et reçu de nombreux prix (Medaille Asperger-Kanner 2024, Duquesne 2023, Roger De Spoelberch 2020, IPSEN 2015, INSAR 2013). Il est l’auteur du livre « Des gènes, des synapses, des autismes » aux éditions Odile Jacob.

About Naked Heart France


Naked Heart Foundation is an international charity, founded by model and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova in 2004. After moving to Paris, Natalia decided to expand her charitable initiatives and created Naked Heart France to develop and amplify the important humanitarian work that Naked Heart Foundation had started earlier for children with special needs. Our mission is to help build an open society where children with special needsIndividuals are included, supported, with a loving family who helps them develop their intellectual, social, physical and emotional capacities.
 

Media contact: Daria Bernot,daria@nakedheart.fr , +33 7 81 19 26 09.

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