First Atlanta, then San Diego.

But in between conferences where millions of people live, Defeat Autism Now will come to Cape Girardeau, bringing national experts to inform area families, doctors and educators about the latest breakthroughs and theories in the field of autism.

The unusual opportunity is exciting to parents whose children struggle with the disorder.

"It's a wonderful opportunity," said Michelle Wingo, whose 6-year-old son Elijah has autism. "It's amazing that this area will have that."

Susan Cockerill, project director for the Southeast Missouri Autism Project, said normally only larger cities have DAN conferences.

"To have such premiere leaders in the field of autism coming to Cape Girardeau is such a stroke of luck for us," she said.

Defeat Autism Now is a group of professionals who first gathered in 1994 to discuss the exponential rise in cases of autism all over the world. The group's goal is to disseminate information and encourage research.

The conference, sponsored by the Judevine Outreach Services, will be Saturday, Sept. 15, at the University Center at Southeast Missouri State University. Cockerill said she expects 400-500 people to attend the one-day conference.

There is no cost for families in the Southeast Missouri Autism Project. Costs for those outside the project are $100 for parents and $125 for professionals. For more information or to register, call 1-800-JUDEVINE.

Expert speakers

The conference will feature lectures by Dr. Bernard Rimland, the nationally renowned founder of the Autism Research Institute who also helped form DAN; author Lisa Lewis, who has written a book about a link between autism and diet; Dr. Amy Holmes, a doctor who treats autistic children; and Lynn Hamilton, a parent of an autistic child.

"This is really an opportunity for families, physicians and educators in the area to get a better understanding of what's going on and what's happening," Cockerill said. "We hope as many people take advantage of this as possible."

Dr. Bernard Rimland puts it bluntly: "Autism is an epidemic," he said from the Autism Research Institute in San Diego. "It's a huge epidemic around the world and it's growing, not only in the U.S., but in Indonesia, Ireland, everywhere."

For many decades, autism -- a developmental disorder characterized by self-absorption and severe social, communication and behavioral problems -- was unheard of, Rimland said.

"In 1956, when my son was diagnosed with autism, my pediatrician had never even heard of it," said Rimland. "Nowadays, every pediatrician has a dozen or so autistic patients."

Autism previously was thought to affect one in 500 people, but the number is actually closer to one in 250, according to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rimland said the theory that there are actually no more cases, only more awareness is laughable.

"That's absurd," he said. "You don't overlook children with these symptoms because you haven't heard of autism."

Rimland will touch on his theory at the conference that the increase in autism may be linked to mercury, a toxin that is used in children's vaccines.

Dietary impact

Another topic will link autism with diet. Some believe that a gluten/casein-free diet reduces the symptoms in some autistic children and adults.

Two Cape Girardeau families with autistic children, local orthodontist Dr. David Crowe and the Wingo family, say they have tried reducing gluten, which is wheat and other grains, and casein, which is the basis of milk and cheese.

Crowe's 20-year-old son Taylor has autism.

"We've done some dietary intervention and have noticed some changes in Taylor," Crowe said. "It just had a calming effect. He was able to focus more on things."

When Elijah Wingo would eat macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches, he became erratic.

"He was very hyper," Michelle Wingo said. "His eyes would dilate, he would pace back and forth and he had this sort of maniacal laughter."

When they read about dietary intervention and cut back on those foods, the behavior subsided.

"We saw improved eye contact, improved ability to concentrate and he was just calmer," Wingo said. "It literally gave him the ability to concentrate."

Michelle Wingo and David Crowe both said they will attend the event.

"It's a great and very promising event," Crowe said. "The work these people do gives a lot of people hope and it's comforting to know that the scientific community is working on it."

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137