Strengthening Our Roots: A Conference For and About Families of Children on the Autism Spectrum
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Bloomington High School South, Bloomington, Indiana
Sponsored by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism and Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
In collaboration with the Logan Center; the Arc of Indiana; Blumberg Center for Interdisciplinary Studies; the Autism Society of Indiana; MAAP Services; the Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center, Riley Hospital for Children; Bloomington Hospital Children's Therapy Clinic; IN*SOURCE; Easter Seals Crossroads; PATINS; Local School District Autism Mentors Network; National Easter Seals; the Autism Society of America
Hosted by Bloomington High School South and Monroe County Community School Corporation
Supported by the Indiana Department of Education, Division of Exceptional Learners
Organizations across Indiana have collaborated to host a conference focused on providing practical information for families living with an individual on the autism spectrum. Our hope is to provide an opportunity for you to gain useful information, network with others, and learn about the various resources in Indiana. The following topics will be offered during the one day conference:
* Dr. Liane Holliday Willey -- Keeping Aspies Safe
* Melissa Dubie -- Let’s Talk about Puberty and Relationships
* Kim Davis -- Creating a Future for your Child using Person Centered Planning and Circles of Friends
* Kelly Ernsperger & Susan Pieples -- Dealing with the Grief
* Scott Ferguson -- Uncommon Sense: A Practical Approach to Sensory Integration
* Teresa A. Grossi, Ph.D. -- Preparing for Life After High School
* Catherine Davies -- Using Structure at Home to Help My Child Learn
* Brian Ketzner -- Dad’s Only Meeting
* Patricia Wright -- Using Assistive Technology to Increase Success at School and at Home
* Jeff Sell & Liz Freeman Floyd -- Advocacy Initiatives: What’s New on Capitol Hill and around the States...
* Georgia Frey -- Physical Activity for People with ASD
* Beverly Vicker -- Embedding Communication in the Household with Preschool Children.
* Loui Lord Nelson -- Person Centered Planning-Using the Process to your Advantage
* Claire Thorsen -- Behavior
* Susan Moreno & Marci Wheeler -- Common Issues of AS/NS Marriages
This workshop is geared for family members and those interested in learning more about supporting children on the autism spectrum.
For information on Consumer Investment Funds for family members or individuals with disabilities in Indiana, contact the Indiana Governor’s Planning Council for Person’s with Disabilities at (317) 232-7770. Also, family members of individuals birth to 21 with disabilities in Indiana can contact the Indiana Institute on Disability & Community (IIDC) at (800) 825-4733 (fif@indiana.edu) for Family Involvement Funds (http://www.inf2f.org/F2F-FIF.htm).
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Liane Holliday Willey is an inspirational speaker who helps her audience truly understand the importance of accepting people with differences. All her life, Liane knew she was different, but only after one of her family members was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome did Liane realize the reason behind her own differences; she too was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Dr. Willey has authored several internationally bestselling books including “Pretending to be Normal: Living with Asperger Syndrome” (forward by Tony Attwood), “Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence: Living with the Ups, the Downs, and Things in Between”, and “Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal”. Liane has heard it said that she is unusual for one with Asperger Syndrome and she is dedicated to making sure her successes are not the exception to the rule for those with an ASD, but rather, the norm.
photo, Teresa A. Grossi, Ph.D.Keynote Address: I’m On My Way...But I Don’t Know Where I’m Going! Preparing for Life After High School
Teresa A. Grossi, Ph.D., is the Director for the Center on Community Living and Careers at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University. Teresa has extensive background in education and employment for individuals with disabilities where she has worked as a community-based instructor, transition coordinator, job coach and managed a vocational training program and a supported employment agency. Teresa serves as president of the National Board for the APSE: The Network on Employment and the External evaluator for the National Secondary Transition and Technical Assistance Center.
Certificates of attendance will be provided. Upon approval by the Indiana Professional Standards Board, Certification Renewal Units (CRU’s) and Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) will be available.
The conference is scheduled from 8:15 A.M. – 4:30 P.M., with registration and coffee beginning at 7:30 A.M.
8:15-9:45: Welcome and Keynote: Dr. Liane Holiday Willey
10:00-11:15: Concurrent Sessions
11:15-12:15: Lunch
12:15-1:30: Keynote: Teresa A. Grossi, Ph.D.
1:45-3:00: Concurrent Sessions
3:15-4:30: Concurrent Sessions
The registration fee for this conference is $50.00.
Registration fee includes morning coffee, pastries, lunch, and presentation materials.
All registrations are final. No money will be refunded.
Make checks or purchase orders payable to Indiana University and return registration form with payment to Kelly Doyle, IIDC, 2853 East Tenth Street, Bloomington, IN 47408-2696.
If you are paying with a purchase order or credit card, you can fax your completed registration form and payment information to the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at (812) 855-9630.
Once your completed registration form is received by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, a confirmation packet will be mailed to participants that includes a confirmation letter, receipt of payment, map to conference location, and lodging information.
If you have questions about the conference content, please contact Brian Ketzner (
bketzner@indiana.edu) at (812) 855-6508.