Best Selling Author, Temple Grandin To Speak at Omega Conference: Autism Through the Life Span

Sponsored by The Center for Discovery's Environment and Health Institute

RHINEBECK, NY - The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, along with The Center for Discovery, is pleased to present Autism Through the Life Span, a timely, insightful, and far-reaching investigation into this challenging condition. The 3-day conference will take place August 17-19 on Omega's Rhinebeck campus. A highlight of the conference will be a lecture by Temple Grandin, Ph.D., on Saturday August 18, from 7:00 to 9:00pm. Often regarded as the most accomplished and well-known adult living with autism, Grandin is one of several extraordinary speakers appearing over the course of the conference. The Grandin lecture is open to non-conference attendees for a cost of $20.

Grandin, a dynamic public speaker, has authored many books on autism from an insider's perspective, including best sellers Animals in Translation and Thinking in Pictures and Other Reports from My Life with Autism. Grandin, who did not speak until she was three and a half years old due to Asperger's Syndrome, was labeled "autistic," and her parents were told she would be institutionalized as an adult. In her writing, her professional life, and her public speaking, Grandin has stunned the health professionals and her family through her achievement - challenging the notion that autism is a death sentence to productivity in life.

In addition to Grandin's lecture on Saturday evening, those participating in the full 3-day conference will have the unique opportunity to listen to other esteemed faculty including, Theresa Hamlin, Ed.D., Stephen Shore, and Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D. They are joined by special guest teenage, autistic comic, Elijah Wapner who was featured on MTV's True Life and performs standup in venues from Manhattan to Las Vegas.

"As an organization committed to a holistic approach to healing, Omega is deeply gratified to partner with The Center for Discovery to bring new insights and resources to those working or living with autism. By approaching healing from many angles-including those outside the traditional medical model-we can learn how to improve the overall health of individuals and society," said Carla Goldstein, Director of External Affairs.

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. To register for the full conference or just for Grandin's appearance Saturday night, please call 800.944.1001 or visit www.eomega.org .