ASPEN ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE

Transcription

1 asperger autism spectrum education network NJDOE Professional Development Provider #1619 ASPEN ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE TAKING CHARGE OF OUR FUTURE Morning Keynote Presenter Dena Gassner, LMSW Functioning With a Full Tank: Understanding Self-Regulation and Resilience Young Adult Panel Discussion In Their Own Words Afternoon Keynote Presenter Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D. The Road to Independence: Adulthood is More Than Just an Age Plus 5 Afternoon Workshops to Choose From! SUNDAY, APRIL 10, :00AM-4:30PM APA HOTEL WOODBRIDGE (Formerly Hotel Woodbridge at Metropark) 120 Wood Avenue South, Iselin, NJ 08830

2 TAKING CHARGE OF OUR FUTURE ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE MORNING KEYNOTE DENA GASSNER, LMSW Functioning with a Full Tank: Understanding Self-Regulation and Resilience In order to maximize our own personal best, regardless of where we are on or off the autism spectrum, we have to understand how we regulate and recover when unexpected things take us off track. We will also learn about regulation as a missing piece of the curriculum, and what the research says we need in order to be resilient. YOUNG ADULT PANEL DISCUSSION In Their Own Words Sometimes the best advice comes directly from those who actually travel the road. This panel of young adults will share their thoughts and experiences, including their challenges and successes, as they navigate a world that can be very demanding. A question and answer period will follow. AFTERNOON KEYNOTE JANE THIERFELD BROWN, ED.D. The Road to Independence: Adulthood is More Than Just an Age The journey into adulthood is difficult, and for people on the autism spectrum it can be a long and winding road. How do employment, career and relationships all get the attention they need? How do we as parents and professionals, and they as young adults on the spectrum, adequately prepare for the future?

3 AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS A) Success in College: From Application to Graduation presented by Beth Glasberg, Ph.D., BCBA-D and Deborah Silver, MA This workshop will provide an overview of skills that high school students need to help prepare them for future college success. Topics will include: strategies for evaluating appropriate college programs; available supports for current college students to help them graduate; and appropriate supports to help them achieve successful employment. B) Planning for the Future: Strategies for Transitioning to Employment presented by Kate Palmer, MA, CCP, CAS Individuals with ASD can be productive contributors to the workforce, but are vastly un(der)employed. Resumes, networking, and interviewing skills are particular challenges to getting and keeping a job. This interactive workshop will discuss issues surrounding disclosure, self-advocacy, and will also provide in-depth examples of how to navigate co-worker interactions. Individuals on the spectrum, parents and family members, teachers, professionals, and clinicians will all benefit from this presentation on transition to employment. C) Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders in ASD presented by Andrew Levitas, MD Anxiety and anxiety disorders are common psychiatric conditions comorbid with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The reasons for this are not entirely clear, but the problems are treatable. This presentation will describe the non-medication and medication treatment approaches, their advantages and hazards.

4 D) Girls and Women on the Spectrum: What s New? presented by Dena Gassner, LMSW Things are happening for girls and women on the autism spectrum. Learn the basics about gender differences and how binary thinking of male/female might be leaving many behind. Discuss the latest research and learn how we can most help females to be confident, self-assured and productive going forward. E) Essential Planning for Adults on the Autism Spectrum presented by Denise Rekem, Esq. As children with special needs get older, IEPs and 504 Plans are replaced with systems and considerations necessary for services and supports as adults. This workshop will discuss planning for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, including when and why to apply for guardianship, the importance of special needs trust planning and accessing day and residential adult services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities. TO BECOME AN EXHIBITOR Conference exhibitor opportunities are available on a first come-first served basis. For more information or to request a vendor contract, please contact our office at (732) or info@aspennj.org. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Parents, grandparents, other family members and caregivers; individuals (age 15 and older) with Autism Spectrum Disorder; educational professionals; medical and health professionals; legal professionals. Educators attending this full day conference will earn 6 Professional Development Hours.

5 ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS Dena Gassner is a Ph.D. candidate at Adelphi University where she is studying the implications of autism in women as they interact in the community. She has been a private practice social worker and ran the Center for Understanding, a program that provided direct hand-over-hand systems navigation support to families, transition-aged teens and adults with Asperger Syndrome. She is an advisory board member of the Autism Society of America and a board member of the Arc US and GRASP, as well as the 2009 winner of the Jo Andrews Award from Nashville's Mayor's Committee on Disability for outstanding disability advocacy. She has been featured in a Public Service Announcement (no-myths.org) and an online video for the Dan Marino Foundation (AU-tube). Today, she continues her work as a nationally recognized advocate, writer and national presenter to schools, families and agencies throughout the country. She contributed a chapter to Scholars with Autism Achieving Success (Perner, ed) and this year, both she and her son, Patrick Kelty, contributed chapters in College for Students with Disabilities: We Belong (Shore and Pavan,eds.). She is currently consulting with the researchers in the lab headed by Simon Baron-Cohen at Cambridge University, UK. She is a wife, mother and grandmother, and was diagnosed with autism at age 38. She strives to live her life authentically, not by overcoming autism, but by integrating it while maximizing her abilities. Jane Thierfeld Brown is Director of Disability Support Services at the University of Connecticut School of Law, Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Child Study Yale Medical School, and Director of College Autism Spectrum. She has worked in Disability Services for 35 years, and holds an Ed.D from Columbia University, Teachers College. Dr. Brown consults with many families, students, school districts and institutions of higher education. She has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS News and NPR. She has coauthored Students with Asperger s: A Guide for College Professionals (2009), The Parent s Guide to College for Students on the Autism Spectrum (2012), and Behavior Management and Self-Regulation (2012), along with many textbook chapters and articles. Dr. Brown is married and has three children, the youngest of whom is a 23 year old son with autism. Beth Glasberg has been working with children and families facing social, learning or behavioral challenges for more than 20 years. She has authored several books focusing on both challenging behaviors and sibling issues, as well as multiple peer-reviewed articles. She presents at conferences both nationally and internationally.

6 Deborah Silver oversees the College Success Program. She works privately with high school and college students to help them overcome the hurdles of college acceptance and completion. Kate Palmer is the President/CEO of GRASP, the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership. She earned graduate degrees in Psychology and holds Coaching and Autism Specialist Certifications. Her research has focused on creating cognitive processes that bypass executive functioning deficits in adults with Asperger Syndrome, which aids in solving employment, socialization and transitional difficulties. She has worked with individuals with ASD s and developmental differences over the past 20 years in academic, residential and non-profit settings as a special education teacher, private individualized consultant and administrator. Dr. Andrew Levitas is Professor of Psychiatry and Medical Director of the Center for Mental Health Treatment for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities of the Department of Psychiatry, Rowan/SOM. He is Board Certified in both Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry, and is the 1999 recipient of the Robert D. Sovner Award for psychiatric services to persons with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Levitas is a member of the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Committee of the Fragile-X Foundation, and is past Associate Editor of Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities. Denise Dimson Rekem, a founding partner of Parles Rekem, LLP, focuses her practice on the representation of individuals with special needs and their families in the areas of special education, transition and adult services, residential placements, guardianship, bullying and discipline. She has expertise in navigating the complexity of the funding systems for educational and residential placements. Ms. Rekem has testified before various State agencies and community organizations highlighting the problems in the current version of the New Jersey State Transition Plan and New Jersey s limiting of funding and programs for those with disabilities.

7 All registration fees are per person. Cash, check, money order, or online via PayPal. Registration must be postmarked by 3/31/16. Early registration is suggested due to limited seating. Additional copies of the form may be downloaded from our website at If the number of registrants reaches capacity, registration will close earlier than the deadline. Confirmations are sent ONLY to those who include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Cancellations and Changes - No refunds for cancellations received after 3/14/16. Sorry, no exceptions. Kindly notify us in advance if substituting for original registrant. If, due to unforeseen circumstances, it becomes necessary to substitute speakers without advance notice, fees are non-refundable. Directions to the APA Hotel Woodbridge Visit their website at Hotel Accommodations For special ASPEN Conference rates at the APA Hotel Woodbridge, call as soon as possible. REGISTRATION FORM: SPRING CONFERENCE Sunday, April 10, 2016 Early Registration Discount Deadline 3/28/16 Please Print: Name(s) Address Phone ( ) Check One: Legal Professional Parent Medical/Health Professional Grandparent Educational Professional Family Member Young Adult with ASD Cut and return this portion. DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: MARCH 31, ON-LINE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE AT: ASPEN Member? (as of date of conference) Yes Chapter No If you would like to join, please enclose a SEPARATE check for annual dues (Families: $35; Professionals: $55) payable to ASPEN, along with member conference registration fee. Kindly mail your completed form with your check or money order made payable to ASPEN to: ASPEN SPRING CONFERENCE Aspen Circle Edison, NJ Please complete section below. PLEASE CHOOSE ONE WORKSHOP FOR EACH REGIS- TRANT (BY INDICATING THEIR INITIALS) FROM THE FOL- LOWING FIVE AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS. AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS (3:00-4:30PM) (CHOOSE ONE): A) Success in College: From Application to Graduation B) Planning for the Future: Strategies for Transitioning to Employment C) Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders in Autism Spectrum Disorder D) Girls and Women on the Spectrum: What s New? E) Essential Planning for Adults on the Spectrum REGISTRATION FEE (INCLUDES MATERIALS, BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND COFFEE & DESSERT BREAKS) ALL FEES ARE PER PERSON. MEMBER (PARENT or GRANDPARENT) $ ($ AFTER 3/28/16) MEMBER (PROFESSIONAL) $ ($ AFTER 3/28/16) NON-MEMBER (PARENT or FAMILY MEMBER) $ ($ AFTER 3/28/16) NON-MEMBER (PROFESSIONAL) $ ($ AFTER 3/28/16) MEMBER (YOUNG ADULT INDIVIDUAL WITH ASD) $ ($ AFTER 3/28/16) NON-MEMBER (YOUNG ADULT INDIVIDUAL WITH ASD) $ ($ AFTER 3/28/16)

8 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 8:00 AM REGISTRATION/BREAKFAST/ VISIT EXHIBITORS 9:00 AM LORI SHERY, PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASPEN Opening Remarks 9:15 AM DENA GASSNER Morning Keynote Presentation Functioning With a Full Tank: Understanding Self-Regulation and Resilience 10:45 AM BREAK/VISIT EXHIBITORS 11:00 AM YOUNG ADULT PANEL DISCUSSION In Their Own Words 12:00 Noon BUFFET LUNCH (provided) 1:00 PM JANE THIERFELD BROWN Afternoon Keynote Presentation The Road to Independence: Adulthood is More Than Just an Age 2:30 PM DESSERT BREAK/VISIT EXHIBITORS 3:00 PM AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS Conference concludes 4:30 PM. General Questions or to Become a Conference Exhibitor Please contact us at (732) or info@aspennj.org if you have any questions. asperger ABOUT ASPEN ASPEN provides information, support and advocacy to individuals and families whose lives are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asperger Syndrome, PDD- NOS, High-Functioning Autism) and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities. Its numerous chapters meet monthly, alternating support meetings with scheduled speakers. Members receive an online newsletter; have access to a lending library of books, videos, and articles; receive a copy of the ASPEN Resource Directory, and are entitled to free attendance at all monthly chapter meetings in addition to substantial discounts on conferences. A NJ Department of Education Professional Development Provider (#1619), ASPEN sponsors workshops and conferences featuring some of the most prominent names in the research community. ASPEN is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. autism spectrum education network