Annual autism and ADHD conference set for April 6

Ankeny, Iowa (March 12, 2012) Non-profit Champions of Autism & ADHD is hosting its annual conference, “Building Bridges at Home and School,” on Friday, April 6, 2012. The mission of Champions and Autism & ADHD is to connect families, caregivers, educators and the community with education, information and resources that will help improve the quality of life for those living with Autism and ADHD.

Conference details:

• ·         Date:  Friday, April 6, 2012
• ·         Time: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
• ·         Location: Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Campus, FFA Building
• ·         Cost: $30 per participant, includes a continental breakfast and lunch
• ·         For registration and speaker/session information, please visit www.autismchamps.org.

Keynote speaker Dr. Lisa Kemmerer will be giving two presentations at the conference. The first presentation will be Evidence-Based Practices for Children with Autism. The second presentation will be Replacing Challenging Behavior with Functional Communication.

Dr. Lisa Kemmerer is the Autism Center Coordinator at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and received her Ph.D. in Special Education at the University of Iowa. She has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in the areas of special education and applied behavior analysis and has provided behavioral consultation and training for school districts and families in Iowa, Oregon, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Conference Schedule:

8:30 – 9:00 Registration/Breakfast

9:00 – 10:00 Keynote: Dr. Kemmerer, Evidence-Based Practices for Children with Autism

10:00 – 10:15 Vendor Fair/Break

10:15 – 11:15 Breakout Sessions

11:15 – 12:15 Lunch/ Break

12:15 – 1:00 Keynote: Dr. Kemmerer, Replacing Challenging Behavior with Functional Communication

1:15 – 2:15 Breakout Sessions

Breakout Sessions will include the following:

 

Topic

Presenter

Time

Talk to Me Technologies: Providing A+ Alternative Communication Solutions & Support

Megan Farrell, Talk to Me Technologies

AM

Breaking Down the Barriers, Building Parent Support Groups

Trudy Egli, Ankeny Community Schools guidance counselor andAllison Schaeffer, parent of a child with Autism, Heartland AEA, SMART support group

AM

Living and Learning after High School

Kirkwood Community College, the Homestead, Minnesota Life College, University of Iowa's REACH program

AM and PM

iPad Training

Denise Young, Assistive Technology Consultant with Green Hills AEA andCheryl Case, Occupational Therapist with Green Hills AEA

AM and PM

What to Expect When You Didn't Expect to Raise a Child with Special Needs

Kay Marner, freelance writer and parent of a child with ADHD

AM and PM

Talk to Me Technologies: AAC Immersion: Strategies and Ideas for Success at Home & School

Megan Farrell, Talk to Me Technologies

PM

Imagine the Possibilities: Ways of Using Drama with Youth on the Spectrum

Gretta Berghammer, University of Northern Iowa, drama and theatre

PM

 

 

For more information, please visit

www.autismchamps.org or contact Jo Aukes at

jo@autismchamps.org or 515-597-0858.