Here is an event that has a variety of speakers that is free for the families of children with autism. This is something you do not hear about very often. Too bad that YAP does not service the State of California.

Youth Advocate Programs (YAP) invites families in Lancaster County, PA to an Autism Information Day to be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2007. This workshop is being made available at no cost to families of children with autism in Lancaster County. This project was financed in part by a grant from the Abigail Longenecker Foundation.

Date: October 3, 2007

Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm - lunch is provided

Location: Otterbien United Methodist Church, 20 East Clay Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Registration - must be done by September 21.

Mail, fax or email your registration to:

Ann Lyon, MSW
Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.
721 North Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17602

FAX: 717-396-0164
EMAIL: alyon@yapinc. org
PHONE: 717-396-0212

Speaker and Facilitator List:

Janet Crawford, YAP’s Vice President and National Coordinator of Autism Services

Ann Lyon, YAP ’s Coordinator of Autism Training

Matt Gromis, Lancaster County YAP’s Autism BSC and trainer

Dan Karlow, YAP’s Lancaster County director

Ellie Turnbull, parent advocate

Pat Amos, Autism Support and Advocacy in Pennsylvania (ASAP)

Will Turnbull, self advocate

William Stillman, nationally-known author and self-advocate

The purpose of the event is to spread the word about relationship-based approaches to supporting and accommodating children on the autism spectrum. The relationship-based approach utilizes individual strengths and natural supports within the context of community and family relationships to achieve progress in four main areas: environmental/ cognitive; social communication; functional independence; and reduction of challenges. Keys to the approach are the presumption of intellect and the fostering of self-advocacy.

Self-advocates William Stillman and Will Turnbull will share an "inside-out approach," helping others to get inside and better understand the experience of autism. Ellie Turnbull and Pat Amos will share the knowledge they have acquired as parents, and Janet Crawford, Ann Lyon, Matt Gromis and Dan Karlow will address what they are learning about best practices in support provision.

In Pennsylvania and Texas, YAP is a licensed provider of behavioral health services funded by Medical Assistance. YAP's strategic plan calls for expansion of MA services and entry into the managed care arena in other states. In addition to our national programs, we have assisted in the development of programs in England and Ireland and provide support to youth agencies in Scotland, Guatemala and Sierra Leone.

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Educational Autism Tips for Families 71 page resourceful ebook for families entering the school system with a recent autism diagnosis. Find out what issues take place over the course of a school day and meet these challenges head on.