Autism Through the Life Span |
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Omega Institute presents this rare gathering of some of the country's most innovative voices in the autism community to explore the latest approaches to diagnosing, treating, and living with autism. This conference is for family members of people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome, professionals, educators, therapists, and others who provide support for individuals with autism.
Hosted by Valerie Paradiz, author of Elijah's Cup and director of education at New York University Child Study Center's Asperger Institute, this conference steps away from obsolete, overly pathological or medical views of the autistic individual. Instead, we learn about alternative approaches to education and therapy; how to support the emerging, autistic self-advocate; and ways to understand environmental, sensory, and cognitive differences from the autistic insider's point of view.
Given the dramatic rise in the number of people diagnosed with autism in the past decade (now estimated to be at 1 in 166 Americans), this conference offers a timely, insightful, and far-reaching investigation into a development our culture is currently grappling to understand.
Together we explore the full autism spectrum and the truth that "Auties" and "Aspies" can—and are—living more meaningful and productive lives than ever before. The esteemed faculty is joined by special guest teenage, autistic comic, Elijah Wapner. He was featured on MTV's True Life and performs standup in venues from Manhattan to Las Vegas.
Learning Objectives
After attending the conference, participants will be better able to:
- discuss differences between traditional, medical views of autism and more recent alternative approaches;
- demonstrate an understanding of environmental, sensory, and cognitive differences that define autism spectrum disorders;
- describe ways to help persons with autism spectrum disorders live more meaningful, productive lives; and
- utilize the most effective approaches to diagnosing and treating autism spectrum disorders.
CE available. Special schedule.
Faculty
Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is one of the most accomplished and well-known adults with autism in the world. She has been featured on major television programs, such as Primetime Live, The Today Show, Larry King, 48 Hours, and 20/20, and has been written about in national publications such as Time, People, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, and the New York Times. Among numerous other recognitions by media, Bravo Television produced a half-hour show on her life, and she was one of the "challenged" people featured in the best-selling book, An Anthropologist On Mars. She is also the author of Emergence: Labeled Autistic.
Theresa Hamlin, Ed.D., is chief of staff for the Center for Discovery, and is responsible for the oversight of all areas of program operations, management, curriculum design, and program evaluation. For the past 23 years, she has been developing and directing programs for the promotion of development and health for children and adults with developmental disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorders and severe multiple disabilities.
Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D., is a writer and cofounder of the Open Center for Autism, a nonprofit organization offering after school, educational, and therapeutic programs for middle and high school students diagnosed with high-functioning autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD). She is also director of education at NYU Child Study Center's Asperger Institute. Her work in the autism community has been featured in the New York Times, Redbook magazine, Autism Spectrum Quarterly, and on Japanese Public Television. She is the author of a memoir, Elijah's Cup, a compelling story of her experiences raising her autistic son. www.valerieparadiz.com
Stephen Shore, diagnosed with "atypical development with strong autistic tendencies," was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis, and was recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until age 4, he is now completing his doctoral degree in special education at Boston University with a focus on helping people on the autism spectrum develop their capacities to the fullest extent possible. He is the author of a memoir, Beyond the Wall, and Understanding Autism for Dummies. www.autismasperger.net
The Center for Discovery is a residential center in upstate New York dedicated to serving children and adults with severe disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, in a residential program, and children in the day school program. Based on the premise that given the right environment everyone can succeed, the center provides innovative clinical, medical, and educational opportunities designed to increase self-confidence, develop the necessary skills to live more independently, and enrich the lives of individuals and their families. For more information on The Center for Discovery visit www.thecenterfordiscovery.org |
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