Autism Conference in Mesa, Arizona
Back-to-School Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome Conference
Aug 23, 2009
Parents and professionals can benefit from attending an autism conference. Autism Conferences of America and the Autism Research Institute have joined forces to present a two-day autism and Asperger’s Syndrome conference focusing on back-to-school issues.
Back-to-School Conference Overview
The two-day back-to-school autism/Asperger’s Syndrome conference will be held at the Mesa Convention Center on September 18-19, 2009. Registration begins each day at 7:30 am and the conference ends at 5:00 pm on both Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19.
The Mesa Convention Center is located at 263. N Center Street in Mesa Arizona. Conference attendees are eligible for a discounted hotel rate at the Phoenix Marriott Mesa (888-236-2427) and the Best Western Mezona Inn (800-528-8299).
Day One Breakout Sessions
On Friday, conference attendees can choose from three parallel tracks: medical, family, and school. The medical track will include discussions on psychiatric medications, anxiety and depression, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and a physician’s panel.
Attendees of the family track will learn more about Arizona Division of Developmental Disability (DDD) services from a mother of a child on the spectrum, discussion alternative and augmentative communication, participate in a discussion about teens and friends, and hear from a panel of moms.
The school track will allow educators to learn more about visual strategies, social learning, sensory issues in the classroom, and parent/school partnerships.
Day Two Breakout Sessions
On Saturday, the following tracks are available: social/speech, family, and a teen/adult track. The social/speech track will provide attendees a better understanding of social thinking and auditory processing deficiencies.
The second day of the family track will focus on IEPs, Asperger’s Syndrome, home and school sensory strategies, and the use of service animals. At the end of the family track, a panel of dads will be available for a discussion.
The teen and adult track will cover many topics including a spectrum transition program, young adults in a residential program, and a look at sex, dating, and relationships.
Keynote Speakers
Temple Grandin, Ph.D. will present the opening keynote address on Friday, September 18. Grandin will discuss “Developing Talents at School and at Home.” Pamela Crooke, Ph.D., CCC-SLP will be the opening speaker on Saturday. Crooke’s presentation theme is “Socially Thinking – Practically Speaking: The Social Mind at Work and Play.”
Continuing Education and Conference Registration
Continuing Education Units will be available for speech language pathologists and audiologists. 7 hours (0.7 CEUs) are available for each day of the conference. Additionally, Certificates of Attendance will be provided for each day of the conference.
Registration fees range from $20 for a one-day pass for individuals with autism to $210 for a two-day pass for professionals. Discounts are provided for family members, students, habilitation workers, and paraprofessionals. Interested parties can choose to attend for one day (either Friday or Saturday) or purchase a full conference pass.
For more information on the Back-to-School Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome Conference in Mesa, Arizona, call (480) 831-2047.
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