Virtual Conference, April 28th, 2022, with Autism Connections of Easthampton & Pittsfield, MA. The 31st Annual Autism Conference is for professionals, educators, and families.
Keynote Speakers will be Jed Baker and Alix Generous.
* Alix Generous is an #ActuallyAutistic advocate for advancing mental health reform and institutional treatment of autistic people. Alix has had five years of professional experience working in behavior analysis, but a lifetime of experience living as an autistic person in a neurotypical world. She hopes one day all autistic voices are heard and respected, and hopes to help create a world designed to accommodate everyone.
* Jed Baker, Ph.D. is the director of the Social Skills Training Project, an organization serving individuals with autism and social communication problems. He is an award-winning author of eight books and has been featured on ABC World News, Nightline, the CBS Early Show, and the Discovery Health Channel.
* Fees apply, registration is required to https://autismconnectionsma.org/news-and-events/autism-conference/ or contact autismconnections@pathlightgroup.org
PAST CONFERENCES:
Below is information and content for the 2021 conference
* Morning keynote speaker – educator, writer, and global advocate Morénike Giwa Onaiwu.
* Afternoon keynote – Stacey Gordon, an American puppeteer who is best known for portraying Julia, a four-year-old female Muppet with autism . Stacey is also the mom of a child with autism.
* Virtual workshops (see below) and an Exhibitor Expo feature support organizations and exhibitors workshops.
AUTISM CONNECTIONS 2021 WORKSHOP TOPICS INCLUDE:
- Promoting Everyday Independence, Everyday – Presenter: Peter McLean, M.Ed, Training and Development Manager.
- DDS: Charting the Job Search Process for Individuals with Autism – Presenter: DDS Autism Program Regional Coordinators: Pamela Ferguson, Lea Hill, Shannon Hubley, Maria Stefano.
- I Used to Be Bullied for Having Autism – Here’s When it Stopped. Presenter: Kerry Magro, Ed.D, Educational Technology Leadership.
- Combating Diagnostic Disparities in African Americans – Presenter: Jacqueline Williams Hines, Co-Founder of Williams and LaRoc Consulting.
- Chutes and Ladders: The Ups and Downs of AAC (Breaking it Down and Making it Fun). Presenters: Hillary Jellison, MS.CCC-SLP, ATP; Nerissa Hall, PhD..CCC-SLP, ATP.
- The Journey Continues: Successes and Challenges in Adulthood – Presenter: Panel of adults receiving services, moderated by DDS Autism Service Coordinators Erica Donovan & Ashley McGrath. The panel is comprised of adults with autism who will share their experiences, as well as two DDS Coordinators. This panel discussion will address the unique challenges that adults experience. Areas of focus include living independently and other housing models, job training and the journey to maintaining competitive employment, attending college, and forming relationships and a social network.
- Trans and Autistic: Gender Inclusion in our Communities- Presenter: J. Aleah Nesteby, MSN, FP Director of LGTBQ Services; Elliot Ezcurra, Trans Health Navigator.
- Teaching Boundaries and Relationships to Individuals with IDD and Autism.Presenters: Maggie Rice, M.Ed, Director of Whole Children & Whole Selves; Brian Melanson, MSW, Whole Selves, Sexuality Educator.
- Forged by Fire: The Intersection of Race, Disability, and Gender. Presenters: Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, PhD(c), MA. Note: Morénike will be a keynote speaker at the conference as well as a breakout session presenter.
