For the month of February 2007 there are some great choices in conferences and events for the Southern California region. Here is one that I cannot attend but wanted to share as it is filled with lots of information that will benefit parents, teachers, therapists, those on the spectrum and other professionals.

www.autism-conferences.com
www.anaheimconventioncenter.com


SAT FEB 10 - Anaheim Autism/Aspergers Conference - Practical advice to improve the lives of people with Autism/Aspergers!

Keynote Speaker - Cathy Pratt, Ph.D. - 20 tips for improving behavior at home and school. Dr. Pratt is the Director of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community. She also serves as Chair of the Board of the National Autism Society of America.

The first articles I ever read on autism when my son Nicholas was first diagnosed in 1998 were by Cathy Pratt. If it were possible this would be the conference I would like to attend.

Jeff Bradstreet, M.D. will be presenting an overview of biomedical treatments for autism at the morning breakout session. Cathy Pratt is doing a session at the same time on educating children with the most significant disabilities. Rick Clemens, M.A. is the third option in the morning with a presention on educating children with autism in the general ed classroom.

It would be hard to make the decision on which one to attend. There is an early afternoon session by Doreen Granpeesheh, Ph.D. on using ABA to teach skills in school and at home. Rick Clemens, M.A. has a presentation on learning social skills through play. Again a tough choice on which one to attend.

There will be exhibits at this conference and breaks at 10:15, lunch at 12:15 (not provided) and then at 3:00. This conference begins at 8:45 and ends at 5:00pm. The 3:30 sessions are preparing for the future - practical considerations for transition planning by Cathy Pratt, Ph.D. or Using ABA to facilitate biomedical interventions by Doreen Granpeesheh, Ph.D. or nutritional supplements for autism by James Adams, Ph.D. and T. Audhya, Ph.D. That would be a tough choice to make as well since these issues are all of interest to me.

There is professional certification for SLPs and Audiologists for seven hours.

SUN FEB 11, 2007 - Anaheim Autism/Aspergers Conference

The keynote speaker for Sunday is Andrew Wakefield, M.D. This will be on gut problems in children with autism and how to treat them. The morning sessions are on IEP basics, immunity in autism, enhancing communication at school and home. There is a Dad's only lunchtime meeting at 12:30 pm. The early afternoon sessions are autism, mercury and chelation, emotions, and securing therapies and services.

The late afternoon sessions are parents of recovered children, practical approaches to teaching social cognition and executive function to children with autism or special needs trusts - common mistakes to avoid.

This confefence is sponsored by Arizona State University - Autism/Aspergers Research Program, Cure Autism Now (CAN), CARD, Future Horizons Publishing, Kirkman Labs and Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)

Prices listed are for early registration for one and two days
Parent $90/150
2nd family member - 75/130
professional - 120/180
respite/student - 50/75
person on the spectrum - 20/30

The Regional Center Vendor # PD 1605, website is www.autism-conferences.com Parking is $9.00 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The Hotel Marriott across the street is $149 per night.

I attended the Saturday events of an August conference sponsored by many of the same organizations and even tape recorded Temple Grandin. I recommend bringing a microcassette recorder to these events and utilizing it for future reference and inspiration.

Someday I hope conferences will provide childcare like the National conference by Autism Society of America has, although I have yet to attend one of those events.


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.