Center for Autism and Related Disorders to Host Open House for New Los Angeles Assessment Center on February 23, 2011

LOS ANGELES, CA, January 26, 2011 (Press-News.org) The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), the world's largest autism treatment center that provides state-of-the-art therapy, announces the open house of its all new CARD Assessment Center. The open house will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, from 5pm-7pm at the CARD headquarters, located at 19019 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 100 in Tarzana, California.

Media, parents and practitioners are invited to attend the event and meet with guest speakers: Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh (CARD Founder and Executive Director / Clinical Psychologist), Dr. Bob Sears (Pediatrician / Author of The Autism Book), Dr. Evelin Garcia (CARD Assessment Center Director), and Joe Mohs (recovered from autism / author of JoesLivingProof.com).

"This open house will provide a comfortable setting for parents and practitioners alike to learn more about developmental assessments and to erase any fear or doubt they may have with clear facts," says Dr. Evelin Garcia, CARD assessment director.

The CARD Assessment Center provides developmental assessments and consultations for children, adolescents and young adults. Developmental evaluations provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information in a wide variety of suspected and confirmed neurological and psychiatric disorders that can then be used to develop tailored treatment programs if necessary. Through the use of standardized tests and procedures, developmental assessments are used to evaluate many areas of functioning. They can test intelligence (e.g., IQ) and achievement, but also areas of functioning that impact performance in school, relationships with family and friends, and behaviors in the home and community.

Attendees should submit an RSVP to Aenid Reyes, a.reyes@centerforautism.com or call (818) 345-2345 ext. 285.

About Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh:
Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh has dedicated over 30 years to helping individuals with autism lead healthy, productive lives. Dr. Granpeesheh is licensed by the Medical Board of California, the Texas, Virginia and Arizona State Boards of Psychologists, and the Dubai Healthcare City. She earned a Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In 1990, Dr. Granpeesheh founded the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), a treatment center that has seen measurable success with every child since its establishment. Dr. Granpeesheh is the co-creator of Skills , a comprehensive, web-based online tool that allows parents and practitioners to assess and treat children with autism.

Dr. Granpeesheh is a member of numerous boards including: the Autism Society of America, the US Autism and Asperger's Association, the Autism File Journal, Autism 360/Medigenesis, the 4-A Healing Foundation, and the SEARCH Family Autism Research Center. Dr. Granpeesheh is also an active member of the Autism Human Rights and Discrimination Initiative Steering Committee, on the practice board of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, and on the oversight committee of the Department of Developmental Disabilities for the state of Arizona. In addition, Dr. Granpeesheh currently co-chairs the Early Intervention Subcommittee of the North Los Angeles County Taskforce of the Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related Disorders. She is the founding member and President of Autism Care and Treatment Today (ACT Today!), a nonprofit organization that helps families access effective treatment.

Dr. Granpeesheh is a frequent speaker at national and international autism conferences and often appears on nationally televised shows, such as: the Dr. Phil show, The Doctors, Fox and Friends and many others to offer advice on autism related issues.

About Dr. Bob Sears:
Dr. Bob Sears is a board-certified in Pediatrics, and a co-author in the Sears Parenting Library. "Dr. Bob", as he likes to be called by his little patients, earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1995. Dr. Sears is a pediatrician and author of The Autism Book, which teaches parents how to start their children on biomedical treatments for autism, including diet changes, supplements, and correcting various related medical problems.

About Dr. Evelin Garcia:
Dr. Evelin Garcia received her Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D.) from Azusa Pacific University and completed a post-doctorate at UCLA Department of Pediatrics-TIES for Adoption. Dr. Garcia is a bilingual licensed clinical psychologist and is currently the Director of the CARD Assessment Center. Dr. Garcia has worked with infants, children, adolescents, and adults with various disabilities. She has worked for and in public schools, community agencies, churches, hospitals, private practice, and community-based programs; in direct service provision, program development, and director roles. Throughout her career, Dr. Garcia has been actively engaged in the diagnosis and assessment of a diverse population (e.g., pervasive developmental disorder, learning disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dr. Garcia's current interests include the assessment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), development of bilingual assessment measures, and training and research in the field of ASD, ADHD, and learning disabilities. She oversees the practicum, pre-doctoral internship, and post-doctoral programs. Dr. Garcia has presented in national and international conferences, and has been featured on radio and television programs.

About Joe Mohs:
Joe is living proof that recovery from autism is possible. Joe is an advocate for children with autism and families seeking support. In 1986, at 22 months old, he was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, a precursor to autism. He had no speech, play skills, or interest in interacting with other children

Joe credits his parents' devotion and determination in seeking assessments and treatment for his disorder. Joe provides hope to families of children with autism, and support that can help families find their own path to a brighter future.

About the Center for Autism and Related Disorders:
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) is among the world's largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism and related disorders. CARD operates 20 satellite offices throughout the United States and abroad and has treated tens of thousands of children around the world.

CARD is committed to scientific research as the most objective and reliable approach to evaluating treatment for autism. Our mission is to conduct empirical research on the assessment and treatment of autism and to disseminate our research findings and derived technology through publication and education of professionals and the public. While the primary focus of our research is ABA-based methods of assessment and treatment, our overall approach to research includes any topic, which may yield information that could potentially improve the lives of individuals with autism. For more information about the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, visit: http://www.centerforautism.com.