We are excited to present our 12th annual Adult Conference focusing on the needs of adolescents and adults in our community. Each have tremendous potential for independence! Our goal is to help them and their families take these steps in a careful, safe and intelligent manner exploring all that is available. We see firsthand, each day, how much support is needed to assist families and individuals. We answer many calls and run monthly groups where this is the major topic of concern. This year's conference promises to be another excellent line-up of information and thought provoking topics by speakers who are outstanding in our field. I know you will go away filled with new ideas. PRS

AHA's 12th Annual Spring Conference

Issues in Independent Living for Adolescents and Adults on the Autism Spectrum

Saturday, April 21, 2012
Adelphi University
Ruth S. Harley University Center
Garden City, NY

keynotes:
Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D.
Lynda Geller, Ph.D.

Workshops, Resource Walkway, Conference Book Store

<< Register Securely Online >>

Brochures Available mid February -
Mailed to Members, By Request and Downloadable

Partial Scholarships Available
<< Download Application >>
Must be mailed along with registration

Conference presented by:

Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association (AHA)
Adelphi University Ruth S. Ammon School of Education
ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development
Compass Project
Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP)
Spectrum Services

Conference registration includes a handbook containing materials from the two keynotes and 10 workshops. A continental breakfast and boxed lunch are also included. Agency, secondary school, camp, recreation and other service provider representatives will be available at our Resource Walkway with information. Books will be available for purchase at the conference bookstore. Presenting authors will be available to sign their books. Registrations postmarked by March 31 (or registered online by March 31) will receive a free MP3 audio CD of all conference presentations (a $50 value), which will be mailed four-to-six weeks post conference.

8:30 am - 9:15 am Registration, bookstore, Resource Walkway, Continental Breakfast

9:15 am Greetings from Adelphi and AHA

9:30 am Morning Keynote (for all)

Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D. morning keynote
Using a Sensory Scan to Help Focus You in Your Environment
Individuals on the autism spectrum often have challenges with the sensory world. Sometimes these challenges are difficult to identify. In this keynote presentation Dr. Paradiz will explain how use of the sensory inventory tool, ISA Sensory Scan™, teaches self-awareness.  Using this tool the individual on the spectrum can more easily navigate challenging sensory experiences or environments. In addition, a self-advocacy skill program will help create more autonomy in actions and decision making.

10:30 am - 10:45 Resource Walkway and Book Signings

10:45 am - 12:00 noon Workshop Period A

Workshop A1
Coping with the Ups and Downs of the Social World
Samara P. Tetenbaum, Ph.D., and Shana Nichols, Ph.D.
When coping skills and flexibility are limited, teens and adults on the autism spectrum may face a shrinking social world. This presentation will highlight why effective coping skills need to be incorporated into your social strategies. Using case examples and sample activities, we will highlight the key tools for finding friendships and success in the social world.  

Workshop A2
Consolidated Supports and Services - Is Self Determination For You?
Virginia Issacs Cover, M.S.W., M.B.A., and Rick Spagnuola, B.A.
CSS is OPWDD's consumer-directed program allowing adults to design individualized activities and to hire support staff to help them achieve their goals. Funding can be used for college coaching, to develop job and life skills, and for apartment living. Presented by two CSS brokers along with two families speaking about their experiences.

Workshop A3
High Techpectations: Supporting Success Through Technology
Lorianne Hoenninger, M.A.,A.T.P
In our rapid paced culture, mobile and computer technologies are becoming indispensable to facilitate information management. Such technologies are particularly important to people with disabilities. During this presentation, participants will be introduced to software tools, web resources and idevice apps to support independence with study skills, time, money and task management, social skills, recreation, leisure and more. 

Workshop A4
Substance Abuse and Autism
Kathy Pruzan, Psy.D.
Individuals on the autism spectrum are more vulnerable to abuse of substances than was once thought. This presentation will discuss why this is so and explore various treatment models including evidence-based approaches, Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), and Motivational Interviewing.  Case studies will be woven throughout the presentation in order to highlight the increasing relevance of substance abuse treatment for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Workshop A5
Implications of the Removal of Asperger Syndrome from the Revised DSM-5
C.Faith Kappenberg, Ph.D., L.M.S.W., and Stephen Shore, Ed.D.
There has been much controversy and concern over the upcoming change in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition - May 2013) that subsumes Asperger Syndrome into one general diagnosis of "Autism Spectrum Disorder." This workshop examines the issues and possible effects on diagnosis, services, identity, self-advocacy and disclosure for individuals currently diagnosed as having Asperger Syndrome.

12:00 noon - 1:00 pm Lunch, Resource Walkway and Book Signings

1:00 pm -2:00 pm Afternoon Keynote (for all)

Lynda Geller, Ph.D. afternoon keynote
Developing Empathy
Empathy is the ability to take the perspective of others. Many individuals on the autism spectrum struggle with developing this capacity yet research tells us that empathy is a learnable skill.  This keynote will present various ways empathy can be developed.

2:00 pm - 2:15 pm Resource Walkway and Book Signings

2:15 pm - 3:30 pm Workshop Period B

Workshop B6
Navigating the Maze of Medication Management in ASD
James Snyder, M.D.
People on the spectrum are often affected by emotional and behavioral challenges. Medication can be a helpful adjunct to supportive therapies by diminishing the intensity and frequency of problematic symptoms. Prescribing and adjusting medication can be particularly challenging in people with highly sensitive neurologic systems. Learn how to navigate choices, make informed decisions and become aware of common misconceptions.

Workshop B7
What Works in Employment
Cindy Alterson, Ph.D., BCBA, Elise Hahn Felix, LCSW
This workshop features employers who will discuss the benefits and challenges of employing individuals with ASDs. In addition individuals on the spectrum will talk about their various job experiences. The presentation will also highlight components of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) that may be uniquely suited to address concerns related to maintaining employment for adults with High Functioning Autism (HFA), Asperger Syndrome (AS).

Workshop B8
Understanding The Legal System and What To Do During A Crisis
Celia Gordon, Esq.
Individuals with ASDs may become involved in legal situations due to naiveté, anxiety or other issues. This workshop will discuss what situations create the most vulnerability, how to avoid legal entanglement and how to seek assistance if you find yourself in legal difficulty.  

Workshop B9
Improving Pragmatic Language Skills
Lara D. Scher, MA, CCC-SLP, TSHH
Participants will have an opportunity to engage in role-play exercises and learn strategies used in speech-language therapy to facilitate generalization of social language skills. These skills include facial expression, eye-contact, and tone of voice (prosody) which play an integral role in conveying the subtitles of communication. 

Workshop B10
The Autistic Way of Thinking and Processing: Using Strengths to Compensate
Zosia Zaks, M.Ed., CRC
Many tasks of adulthood - from maintaining a home to shopping to getting dressed for work and more - may seem daunting. This workshop teaches participants how to deploy strengths in "autistic thinking" - such as thinking in categories, visual thinking, concrete reasoning, and linear planning, among others - to cope more adeptly with the challenges of adult life.

Bio's of all conference presenters to follow

Registration Information:

Each registration must be on a separate form. Members must be current members of AHA. If you enroll online at AHA eNews that does not make you a member of AHA.

Register for the conference at our secure online site and receive $10 off each registration and an automatic confirmation.

Mail-in Registration for Members inc a free MP3 until 3/31 $140/online$130

Mail-in Registration for Non-Members inc a free MP3 until 3/31 and 1-yr membership $180/online $170

Mail-in Registration for Not-for-Profit inc free MP3 until 3/31 (member rate) $140/online $130

Mail-in Registration for Student, Adelphi Faculty, Indiv w/ASD inc free MP3 until 3/31 $60/online $50

Please make sure to indicate the workshops you would like to attend.

All credit cards are accepted. Checks are accepted with mail-ins