Category: Online Autism Conference 2010

Date: April 10, 2011

Time: 9:00am Pacific Time)

Topic: Making Inclusion Work – A Commitment to Excellence at School, at Home, and in the Community

Speaker: Nancy Brady, MA-EdSP, ATS

Description: Nancy Brady is an Inclusion Specialist and an Assistive Technology Specialist in Southern California.  Nancy has been working to end segregated education based upon a disability and support inclusive education for those with the most severe disabilities since 2002.  Her approach to successful Inclusion is a cooperative venture starting with students and their families, empowering classroom aides and providing teachers with simple ideas and accommodations that are easy to implement on a moment’s notice.  Using Assistive Technology and simple classroom accommodations, students with autism who are nonverbal can have access to the general education curriculum in the least restrictive environment as Congress and IDEA intended.

Date: April 9, 2011

Time: 1:00pm Pacific Time

Topic: Communicating on the Spectrum: Best practices in supporting work-place communication for people with Autism

Speaker: Dr. Brian King

Description: Communication challenges and Autism go hand in hand. A winning employment situation requires a unique partnership between those on the Autism Spectrum, their employer and coworkers. Fortunately, strategies for creating such a partnership exist and Brian R. King, an adult, parent and social worker on the Autism Spectrum will teach you ten strategies for creating an ideal match between a person with Autism and their workplace.

Date: April 9, 2011

Time: 11:00am Pacific Time

Topic: “Effectiveness of Color”

Speaker: Lauren S. Henry

Description: Discover the impact color has on all of us, particularly those diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Colors can often inadvertently impede one’s ability to focus, concentrate, relax and decompress or simply connect in a positive and communicative way – our sensory surroundings have much more bearing over our attitudes and abilities than we realize.  You will learn how to discern what colors, shades and hues work best for your child’s specific needs as well your own.  You will see how all the other sensory elements such as lighting, texture, scent, sound, spatial surroundings, plants and more can change everything!  Creating an environment that works for you is fundamental to one rising to their ultimate potential and achieving their goals much more easily.

Date: April 9, 2011

Time: 9:00am Pacific Time

Topic: The Influence of Rhythm on Movement in Autism based on a model of Cerebellar Dysfunction

Speaker: Michelle Hardy

Description: The concept of movement differences in autism is quite controversial; however, research evidence is growing in favor of this theory. This presenter will review movement abnormalities in autism as they relate to cerebellar deficits and will look at the use of rhythm within a Neurologic Music Therapy paradigm to influence movement in persons with autism.

Date: April 9, 2011

Time: 3:00pm Pacific Time

Topic: Raising a Sensory Smart Child: Practical Solutions for Real-Life Challenges

Speaker: Lindsey Biel

Description: This session will demystify sensory processing issues and provide practical solutions for real life challenges such as:

Noise and light sensitivity
Touch sensitivity and related clothing issues
Taste and smell sensitivity
Oral comforts
Difficulty with sleep

Date: April 9, 2011

Time: 1:00pm Pacific Time

Topic: Using Creativity and Joy to Bring out the Best in Children with Autism

Speaker: Elaine Hall

Description: She will include her 7 Keys to Unlock Autism, Living Miracle Minded, and her “Never Give Up” philosophy as well as her insights into role modeling with typically developing peers to foster socialization..
She will also introduce you to several extraordinary youth with autism – verbal and nonverbal teens who are making a difference in the world.

Date: April 9, 2011

Time: 11:00 AM Pacific Time

Topic: Customized Support ~ Designing supports that work, one person at a time

Speaker: Beth Gallagher

Description: We will take a look at how to create supports for people with Autism in a person centered manner. We will look at planning tools and philosophies that allow services to be provided successfully and respectfully. Together we will try to debunk the myths surrounding person centered planning and the reasons why it is not used more routinely. After close to 25 years experience with person centered supports, Beth will share practical solutions and ideas for creating unique and customized supports for people that have often been labeled as challenging.

Date: April 9, 2011

Time: 9:00 AM Pacific Time

Topic: The Ability to Derive Meaning in the World For The Child With Autism

Speaker: Dr. Carl G. Hillier OD

Description: Vision serves three of life’s most important activities; deriving meaning from the world, problem-solving and directing the intelligent movement of the body. Those with autism often have difficulty in these three major activities of daily living, and it is often a result of a dysfunction in the development of their visual system.

When vision is matched with our other sensory systems, it can provide for us an opportunity to understand the intentions of others, understand the function of the things we see, and it lets us know what we can do with what we see.

Everyday we need to solve problems. They may be as ‘simple’ as; how to walk into a building, or as complex as how to design that building. Whether we conclude to walk in, or design it, the subsequent act will require visually guided movement.

This discussion will review some of the underlying visual neurology – including Mirror Neurons, Magnocellular and Parvocellular visual pathways – that are so important in child development. I will also review the visual skills important for academic success, those skills that go far beyond the ability to see 20/20.

Most importantly, once a child’s visual behaviors have been evaluated and understood, I will discuss various therapies that have shown to be helpful. I look forward to sharing with you, and answering any questions that you may have.

Date: April 9, 2011

Time: 8:00 AM Pacific Time

Topic: The Basics All Children Need to Learn

Speaker: Dr. Temple Grandin

Description: Based on her experiences and what helped her become the successful adult she is today, Temple will discuss the basics that all children – on and off the spectrum-need to learn. As well, Temple will discuss specific areas that are difficult for children on the spectrum including:

• The Fright and Flight Response
• Recognize and accommodate neurological differences in home or classroom
• Distinguish between voluntary behaviors and involuntary behaviors
• The Importance of mentors
• Learned social skills through shared interests