ADULT TRACK PRESENTATIONS

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What You Wish Your Doctor Knew about Autism​

Presenter: Kara Nash, CAS, RN

Description: We'll discuss how functional MRI has shown organic differences in the brains of people on the spectrum and how those differences affect our ability to access medical care, our reactions to medications, and our tendency towards mental and physical illness. Strategies for self advocating in a medical setting will be addressed, and we will discuss how to know when it's time to find new providers. 

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be able to:

1. Better articulate how their neuroatypical brain "wiring" affects their mental and physical health
2. Know when medications and treatments are or aren't working for them and be able to advocate for themselves with their health care providers.

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Interest Circle Groups

Description: Autistic adults and young adults will sit in groups by interest and discuss their interest with the group. An opportunity to carry on into lunch afterward.

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Workplace Harassment Panel

Panelists: Nathan Zimmerman, Robert Caldwell, MS, and Holly Foshee, MSE

Moderator: Nancy Rogers

Description: A panel discussion on workplace harassment.  Panelists will discuss their experiences, and the audience can comment or ask questions of the panelists.

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The Prelude: Fast Life on the Autism Spectrum

Presenter: Eric Zimmerman

Description: I am on the Autism Spectrum. I race cars, and I run a non-profit that provides technology and training to the intellectually and developmentally disabled. I will speak about life, finding love, and living to your fullest potential.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be able to:

1. Identify confidence-building strategies.

2. Give examples of autistic adults with successful careers.

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Self Employment and the Autism Spectrum

Presenter: Jonathan Sharp, AAS and Antonio Blazevic, MS, MBA

Description: The presenters will discuss how self-employment has helped them and how it can help others on the Spectrum. This presentation will address employment statistics, advantages of self-employment, disadvantages of self-employment, and what kind of careers people with autism can be successful in (including alternatives to computer science type careers).

Learning Objectives:  Attendees will be able to:

1. Be empowered to coach people with autism to be effective followers, a precursor to being effective leaders

2. Discuss whether self-employment is right for them (or their loved one)

3. Think outside of the box when looking at career options, with special emphasis on careers that involve specific detailed tasks

4. Look at the options for securing funding for a new small business, with emphasis for securing funding for disabled entrepreneurs

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YOUNG ADULT TRACK PRESENTATIONS

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What Is The Neurodiversity Movement and How Can It Help Me?

Presenter: Nancy Rogers

Description: An introduction to and brief history of the Neurodiversity Movement. Neurodiversity activists around the world are fighting for autism acceptance. They are changing the conversation around autism to include authentically autistic voices, needs and ideas.

Learning Objectives:  Attendees will be able to:

1. Define Neurodiversity.

2. Find online resources that promote and support Neurodiversity and autistic/neurodiverse individuals.

3. Accurately define some key terms of autistic life such as masking, autistic burnout, meltdown and sensory processing issues.

4. Have new ways of thinking about the differences in human cognition.

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Interest Circle Groups

Description: Autistic adults and young adults will sit in groups by interest and discuss their interest with the group.  An opportunity to carry on into lunch afterward.

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Driving on the Spectrum: Expectations, Emotions, and Preparations

Presenter: Johnny Payne, M.Ed

Description: This presentation will consist of a review of and findings related to the recent development of a driving workshop with the Stages Adult Transition program at the Chattanooga Autism Center, which centered around providing realistic expectations, reducing anxiety, and effectively preparing both students and parents for driving and the driving exam.

Learning Objectives:  Attendees will be able to:

1. Have a realistic understanding of expectations related to driving and the TN driving exam

2. Have reduced anxiety related to driving

3. Implement strategies for parents and students in preparing for driving as a significant marker of independence

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Panel of Autistic Women/Non-Binary Individuals

Panelists: Eli Smith, Molly Skiles, BA, Jaz Rothman, Holly Foshee, MSE

Moderator: Dia Neighbors, BA

Description: A panel discussion on autistic women and non-binary individuals.  Panelists will discuss their experiences, and the audience can comment or ask questions to the panelists.

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Panel of Successful Autistic Young Adults

Panelists: Eric Zimmerman, Caty Collins, BA, Mark Ford

Moderator: Karen Weigle, PhD

Description: A panel discussion of successful autistic young adults.  Panelists will discuss their experiences, and the audience can comment or ask questions of the panelists.

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PARENT TRACK PRESENTATIONS

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Panelists of Autistic Young Adults/Adults for Parents

Panelists: Scott Bales, MS, Jamie Mackintosh, BA, Caty Collins, BA, Mark Ford

Moderator: Alyce Benson, LCSW

Description: A panel discussion of autistic young adults/adults for parents.  Panelists will discuss their experiences, and the audience can comment or ask questions of the panelists.

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Parents Networking Session

Description: A session where parents/caregivers can network with each other and learn from each other.  An opportunity to carry on into lunch afterward.

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Parents Are Partners for Independent Living, Part 1

Presenter: Julie Cox, LICSW, PIP

Description: Parents will leave the presentation with practical and simple information on steps they can take to influence greater independence with the young adult/adult with ASD and learn the importance the impact of their actions have on the success of the young adult/adult.

Learning Objectives:  Attendees will be able to:

1. Learn how to partner with professionals to enhance independent living with/for the person with ASD/Asperger. Parents will learn strategies to eliminate barriers and come along side as partners.

2. Learn the importance of self care. How to define self care and implement boundaries in order to influence the potential independence of the autistic young adult/adult.

3. Identify a support system and how to develop a support system for themselves and the autistic young adult/adult so that the person with autism is supported within their environment should the parents be unavailable or to foster continued independence.

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Parents Are Partners for Independent Living,  Part 2

Description: A continuation of Part 1 of People Are Partners for Independent Living.

Learning Objectives:  Attendees will be able to:

1. Learn how to partner with professionals to enhance independent living with/for the person with ASD/Asperger. Parents will learn strategies to eliminate barriers and come along side as partners.

2. Learn the importance of self care. How to define self care and implement boundaries in order to influence the potential independence of the autistic young adult/adult.

3. Identify a support system and how to develop a support system for themselves and the autistic young adult/adult so that the person with autism is supported within their environment should the parents be unavailable or to foster continued independence.

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Self-Care for Anxiety

Presenter: Ann Eubank, LMSW, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS

Anxiety might be felt as shyness or even anger. Thoughts, that are difficult to stop, may arise during or afteran event that can have a negative effect on our lives and health. This presentation will explain real-life strategies to manage anxiety.

 

ASD PROFESSIONAL TRACK PRESENTATIONS

Teaching Functional Skills To Persons with Autism using Video Self-Modeling

Presenter: Tom Buggey, PhD

Description: A brief overview of Video self-modeling and other forms of video modeling will be presented followed by a how-to for caregivers including filming and editing of videos and choosing and evaluating change. Focus will be on adults including social skills and job skills and coaching. Both parents and professionals could benefit.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be able to:

1. Differentiate among and use self, peer, and Point-of-view modeling with clients and relatives.

2. Plan and create videos using storyboards and editing software.

3. Identify appropriate behaviors/skills to use in videos.

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ASD Professional Networking Session

Description: A session where ASD Professionals can network with each other and learn from each other.  An opportunity to carry on into lunch afterward.

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Compassionate Communication: Gift of Self-Empathy

Presenter: Anne Bugel, MDiv, LCSW

Description: Seeking genuine human connection and be heard as who we are? With authenticity and mutual respect, we will learn about the ways we communicate and consider strategies to live with more compassion, grace, and connection

Learning Objectives:  Attendees will be able to:

1. Introduced to Nonviolent Communication using “Observations”, “Feelings”, “Needs”, “Request” set forth by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD in Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life 3rd Ed

2. Attendees will obtain a method to focus attention with “conscious responses based firmly on awareness of what we are perceiving, feeling, and wanting” by increasing feeling vocabulary and needs vocabulary list 

3. Attendees will obtain a portable, guide to reframing how we “express ourselves with honesty and clarity, while simultaneously pay others a respectful and empathic attention” via self - empathy (Finger Map tool)

4. Attendees will be able to implement strategy at home, at work, at school, at play

5. Attendees will be able to see demonstration of skills

6. Attendees will be given resources for NVC practice groups in their area

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Supporting the Autism Community

Presenter: Michele Louzon, MS

Description: While executive function skills are the key to success for adults on the spectrum, self-care strategies are essential for the long haul. I will discuss how to combine the two for long term success.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be able to:

1. Identify self-care strategies and activities that develop executive function skills which speak to them individually. Many of these strategies and activities can be applied at home for little cost while some are available through nonprofits like Arms Around ASD or the various Parks and Recreation Services in their areas.

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Minds of All Kinds: Strengths-Based Approach to Working With Executive Functioning Differences

Presenter: Amy Rutherford, LPC, and Jaime Butler, MS

Amy and Jaime will explore some common characteristics of students with executive functioning differences from a strengths-based approach. Attendees will be equipped with strategies and tools for effectively working with these young adults.

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