Simons Searchlight Rare Disease Awareness Month Webinar Series

In celebration of Rare Disease Awareness Month in February, Simons Searchlight is hosting an engaging webinar series, offering valuable insights and expert perspectives. Mark your calendars and register for these enlightening sessions. *All webinars will be recorded and will be made available on our YouTube channel (we will also post to our website).

Wednesday, February 14 at 12pm EST | Register here

Q&A with Simons Searchlight Genetic Counselors: Navigating New Diagnoses, Genetic Testing, and Resources

Get ready for a deep dive into understanding the roles of genetic counselors, genetic testing, and the array of resources Simons Searchlight provides for families. Bring your questions, and our experts will have the answers!

Speakers and bios: Misia Kowanda, PhD, MSc, CGC, Claire Jones, MS, CGC and Jamie Lundy, MS, LCGC, Simons Searchlight Genetic Counselors

Wednesday, February 21 at 4pm EST | Register here

“What is Apraxia of Speech and How Should We Treat It?”

Presenters and bios: Angela Morgan, PhD, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), Ruth Stoeckel, PhD, CCC-SLP, Emeritus at Mayo Clinic and Paul Wang, MD, Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI)

Wednesday, February 28 at 12pm EST | Register here

“The Impact of Participation and Data in Genetic Research: Insights from Simons Searchlight and SFARI Researchers”

Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring scientists from Simons Searchlight and the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). Explore the profound impact of participant data in advancing genetic research and be inspired by real-world examples of researchers transforming your data and biospecimens into groundbreaking projects, showcasing the direct outcomes of your invaluable contribution to research. There will be time for questions at the end of the webinar.

Panelists and bios: Lauren Bauer, Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), Katina Calakos, PhD, Boston Children’s Hospital, Tom Frazier, PhD,  John Carroll University, Heike Rebholz, PhD, Institute de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris and Julia Sommer, PhD, Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI)

Wednesday, March 06 at 12PM EST | Register here

Q&A with Dr. Cora Taylor: Behavioral Interventions for the Simons Searchlight Community

Join us for a discussion with Cora Taylor, PhD, as she shares knowledge into behavioral interventions tailored for the Simons Searchlight community. Taylor answers your questions about education and early intervention, diagnosing autism, sleep, feeding, toileting, and behavioral interventions for people with autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions. Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions to the Q&A.

Presenter and bio: Cora Taylor, PhD, Simons Searchlight Principal Investigator, and Pediatric Psychologist, Geisinger, with moderator Gabrielle Burkholz, MSPH