Autism Society of
North Carolina
505 Oberlin Road
Suite 230
Raleigh, NC 27605
Tel: 919-743-0204
800 442-2762 (in NC)

The conference planning committee has worked hard to ensure that the conference program offers something for everyone - individuals on the spectrum, their parents and family, and professionals who work with them - and to ensure that it includes sessions that apply to individuals across the spectrum and across ages. This page includes overviews of the pre-conference and conference. Please scroll down to read all the info.

Pre-Conference Workshop, Friday April 25:
Integrating Effective Methodologies Workshop:
This full day training workshop is designed for teachers, parents, and other professionals working with students with autism spectrum disorders. 

Target Audience: The pre-conference workshop information is excellent for teachers, classroom assistants, EC Directors, as well as parents, family members and direct care staff.

Workshop objectives include

1. identifying effective intervention methodologies,
2. identifying core features of each methodology, and
3. identifying ways in which methodologies may be integrated to address the unique needs of individuals with ASD.

To benefit from this workshop, background knowledge in the characteristics of ASD and how these deficits impact behavior is recommended

Pre-conference workshop presenter biographies:
LaTamara Jackson - Ms. Jackson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from University of Houston in Houston, Texas. She began her career in the field of autism as an ABA therapist with TYAP (Texas Young Autism Project). During this time she was promoted to Program Supervisor. Her duties while in this position were to train therapists and family members and to supervise in-home ABA programs for families with pre-school and school age children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Upon completion of that position she continued her work with individuals with autism as an independent consultant. LaTamara is currently an Educational Consultant for TRIAD (Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders), training educators, parents, and service providers who work with early intervention, school-aged children, and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders throughout Tennessee and surrounding states.

Kelly Wendel, M.Ed. - Ms. Wendel received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She then earned her Master of Education degree in Special Education from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Upon completion of this degree, Kelly served as Research Project Coordinator at Vanderbilt University’s Kennedy Center TRIAD (Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders). During her time in this position, Kelly assisted in the evaluation and diagnosis of young children with Autism and their younger siblings. Kelly is currently an Educational Consultant for TRIAD, training educators and service providers who work with school-age children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders throughout Tennessee and surrounding states. 

Books will be available for purchase during the pre-conference workshop.

Pre-conference schedule at a glance
8:00 - Registration check in opens
9:00 - Workshop begins
10:30 - Break
10:50 – Workshop
12:30 – 1:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 2:45 – Workshop
2:45 - 3:15 - Break
3:15 - 4 - Workshop
4:00 - 4:30 - Q & A
4:30 - Adjournment

The fee for the pre-conference workshop is $145, which includes morning and afternoon breaks as well as a plated lunch and CEU credit, if requested.

Annual Conference, April 25 (evening) - Saturday, April 26 (4/20 - SOLD OUT)

This year’s keynote address, entitled: Asperger Syndrome: The Ins, the Outs & the Things In-between, will be presented by Liane Holliday Willey, Ed.D., an author and educational consultant. Dr. Willey has written several books, including:

• Pretending to Be Normal: Living with Asperger's Syndrome
• Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal
• Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence: Living with the Ups, the Downs, and Things in Between

The keynote will take a look at what AS is and how it effects the Aspies’ language, cognitive processing, sensory systems, emotional life and social world. In addition, this presentation suggests practical ways to help the individual with AS learn to cope with his/her unique needs and challenges. In the end, this presentation should make it clear that individuals with AS can be fabulous contributors to a variety of life situations. Mixing personal perspective and humor this presentation will provide an informative and upbeat closing session for the conference.

While Saturday is the main day for the conference (read about the other sessions below), there are two breakout sessions and a welcome reception for attendees Friday evening. Please read on to learn more.

Friday Evening Sessions:
Autism, Asperger Syndrome and Sibling Relationships
This session will discuss ways to improve sibling relationships in families who have both children on the autism spectrum and typically developing children. They'll reveal the "best practices" they discovered and play portions of interviews in which brothers, sisters and parents describe their experiences. The session will describe practical techniques that typically developing siblings can use to get closer to children on the spectrum, and ways parents can encourage their children to use them.

Presenter Info: Dan and Julie Coulter, owners of Coulter Video in Winston-Salem, NC and parents of a child on the autism spectrum. Dan has more than 30 years experience in commercial, educational and corporate television, including creating award-winning videos for AT&T.  Julie Coulter has an extensive background serving as an advocate for people with special needs, including forming and serving as chairperson of two parent special needs advocacy groups at the elementary school and high school levels.
Target Audience: This session is appropriate for parents and professionals.

How did they do that? Creating Programs for Children and Adults with Autism in the Community
There are a variety of programs and groups in our state that were created to provide social, creative, educational and recreational outlets for people on the autism spectrum. Presenters will talk about programs or groups they have established as well as how you can replicate the program in your area. Examples include Kung Fu classes, Outing groups, supper clubs, Music & Movement, and summer programming for kids and adults on the spectrum.

Presenters: Sylvia Van Meerten - Autism Society of North Carolina, Asheville region. Topic - Kung Fu
Mikaila Mills, Autism Society of North Carolina, Asheville region. Topic - Travel and Vacation Planning and Preparation
Kristin Anderson, Autism Society of North Carolina, Greensboro region. Topic - Social Groups and Supper Clubs
Kelly Stone, LRT/CTRS, Autism Society of North Carolina, Raleigh Office. Topic - Music and Movement
Essie Davis, Parent Advocate, Laurinburg Office, Autism Society of North Carolina, Topic - Summer Program
Target Audience: Parents and professionals.

Saturday sessions:

**** The Keynote address by Liane Willey (see above) will close the conference. ***

Keeping Your Child Safe: What you Need to Know and Prepare for,
What are the safety issues that need to be considered at different points in a person with life? Where are the threats? For example, for young children who are runners, what do parents need to consider and how do you prepare your child to stay safe? What do you need to know about Internet Safety? How can you prepare your child for an encounter with a policeman? These and other questions will be answered during this must hear presentation.

Presenters: Dennis Debbaudt is the proud father of Brad, a young man who has autism. In the 1980's, Dennis wrote for the Detroit News and worked with network television current affairs programs in the U.S., Canada and United Kingdom. A professional investigator and journalist since 1977, Dennis turned his attention to autism spectrum conditions in 1987 after his son was diagnosed with autism.

He's since authored over 30 articles and books including Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement Professionals: Recognizing and Reducing Risk Situations for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (2002) and Contact with Individuals with Autism: Effective Resolutions with Darla Rothman for the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (2001).

Dennis' Autism & Law Enforcement Roll Call Briefing Video was released in 2004 and is in use by the Department of Homeland Security, Pennsylvania State Police, Boston, Philadelphia, Nashville, Cincinnati, Portland, Oregon Police Departments, the New York Transit Authority and many other law enforcement agencies. His website http://www.autismriskmanagement.com/ is a leading source of info on safety issues for parents and professionals.
Target Audience: Parents, Family Members and professionals.

Charting a Course for Transition – Where’s the GPS?
Transitions occur on a daily basis and parents and caregivers need strategies to use when things go wrong. One critical aspect that helps prepare for and overcome transition challenges is “charting,” which is a way of planning. The presenter will share vital information about how to plan for the future by using information about a person with ASD’s strengths, interests, and needs

Presenter: donna Mooneyham, MAEd, LRT is the Transition Coordinator for Brunswick County Schools Exceptional Children Department. She has taught in classrooms and is a licensed Recreational Therapist. Her role as a Transition Coordinator finds her seeking opportunities for all exceptional children as they enter post-high school planning. She is also the liaison for students and community living.
Target Audience: Parents and professionals.

Social Relationships: Challenges and Strategies
What are issues that impact social relationships at different stages of life and what strategies can parents and professionals use to help children and adults with ASD? Does your child have difficulty making friends? Are there issues with bullying? Do they have adult peers that they can trust?

Presenter: Sloane Burgess, Ph.D.
Target Audience: This session is appropriate for parents, family members, and other professionals.

Conference Fees are $100/person for current ASNC members and $150/person for non-members. Individuals on the Autism Spectrum and students rates are $60/person.

Register online by clicking here.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Autism Society of North Carolina
This Web site offers links to other sites that are outside the purview of the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC). ASNC claims no responsibility for the content of any linked sites, or other links to those sites. ASNC also does not endorse the content of these links. These links are in place for informational purposes only.
<img src="http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=stream_view&fn=Key&id=afrcxiqzrbohtzgqshgusqzwhgivbec" width="0" height="0" border="0" alt=""/>