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Day conference on autism spectrum disorders offered The Division of Genetics and Developmental Pediatrics in the MUSC Department of Pediatrics will present its first conference on advances in autism spectrum disorders Nov. 3 at the Doubletree Hotel, 181 Church St.   Autism is a complex neuro-devlopmental disorder, a spectrum of related disorders. In the absence of a biological marker, autism spectrum disorder is defined behaviorally, its clinical presentation characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interaction and in communication with others, and by a preference for repetitive, sterotyped behaviors.   The day-long conference, which is co-sponsored by the Office of Continuing Medical Education and the Office of Nursing Continuing Education College of Nursing, will include presentations by some of the nation’s leading scientists.   Topics will include best practices in assessment, early recognition, intervention, and current research in prevalence, genetics and medical issues.   The conference will be presented in lecture format with question and answer sessions. Jane Charles, M.D., associate professor of developmental pediatrics and genetics, is conference director and faculty member. Other faculty for the conference include: David Amoral, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and director of M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California—Davis, Sacramento; Timothy H. Buie, M.D., pediatric gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School— Ladders, Wellesley, Mass.; Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and psychology and director of Autism Center at the Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle; Rebecca Landa, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, associate professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Md.; andTristram Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, N.Y. For information, contact Odessa Ussery, Office of CME, at 876-1925. Friday, Oct. 14, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.