Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when will the 2013 conference be held?
The conference will be held July 10-13, 2013 in Pittburgh, Pennsylvania. All conference sessions will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and there will be attendee lodging at the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh and the Omni Hotel Pittsburgh.
Who can attend the conference?
The Autism Society Conference is open to the general public, not just Autism Society members. The conference audience is comprised of four categories: individuals with autism, families of individuals with autism, autism service professionals and physicians.
How can I register for the conference? What are the registration fees?
The fastest and most economical way to register is online. Registration will be open by mid February 2013. Early registration provides the best discounts on the registration fees. Keep in mind that if you register more than one person at the same time, additional discounts are available.
What does the conference registration fee include?
The conference registration fee entitles you to full access to the national conference, including the Exhibit Hall, the Opening & Closing General Sessions, other keynote sessions, and all concurrent sessions. It also includes online access to all recordings of conference sessions as part of the registration fee. Name badges will be checked at all sessions and events.
Are there scholarships provided for conference attendees? Can I volunteer to work at the conference in exchange for registration?
Please check our website for scholarship and volunteer opportunities coming in February 2013.
I need to submit a purchase order for my registration costs. Can I still register online?
Yes, you can provide a purchase order number for your registration and we will send you an invoice for payment. Select Purchase Order as your payment type on your registration. Please be sure that payment has been submitted prior to attending or plan to submit payment onsite to finalize your registration.
My organization requires a W9 form before I can process my PO. Can I get one?
The Autism Society’s Federal ID number is 52-1020149. Please contact conference@autism-society.org or 301-657-0881 x9010 to obtain a copy of our W9.
I can only attend one day of the conference. How can I register for a single day and what is the fee?
One day conference registrations are only available onsite at the conference.
What is the cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be received in writing to conference@autism-society.org or Autism Society 43rd National Conference, Attn: Cancellation, 4340 East West Highway, Suite 350, Bethesda, MD 20814 no later than 11:59 PM Eastern time on Juine 15, 2013. Advance registrations after June 15, 2013 will not be refunded for any reason. There is a $60 cancellation processing fee for all cancellations. There is an additional $30 cancellation processing fee for all Wednesday workshop cancellations.
Are there Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available for the conference?
Yes, CEUs are available for BCBA, ASHA, and APA. Please check our website for additional information.
Where can I find the conference schedule and session descriptions?
The conference schedule is available on the conference website. A detailed conference schedule will be available in March 2013.
Do I need to sign up for conference sessions ahead of time? What if I want to attend more than one session in a given time period?
It is not necessary to register for any specific session. Each session will be placed in a room that should accommodate the interest in the topic. If you are interested in more than one session in a given time slot, keep in mind that your Conference Proceedings will include handouts from most of the sessions in the general conference. All attendees will also receive online access to the conference recordings.
I cannot attend the conference this year. Can I purchase a copy of the sessions?
Yes, online access to conference sessions will be made available a few weeks after the conference. You will be able to purchase the whole conference or individual sessions. Check the Autism Society website for details at www.autism-society.org/conference.
My child would like to attend some of the conference sessions. How can I register him/her?
Anyone over the age of 18 must register for the conference and pay the full conference fee. Children under the age of 18 must be registered, but there is no fee (proof of age may be required). You can register children under the age of 18 onsite at the conference.
I am an attendee coming from overseas, how do I register for the conference while awaiting my visa status to travel?
We encourage you to register for the conference now and then apply for your visa. If you are unable to obtain a visa, you will receive a full refund for the conference fee. The Autism Society can provide confirmation of your registration to any immigration authorities, but we cannot provide an invitation to the conference.
I have special needs that are covered under the ADA. How can I obtain the accommodations I need to participate in the conference?
We will gladly provide accommodations under the ADA. To obtain them, you must provide your statement of need in writing no later than 60 days prior to the conference. Written statements can be sent to conference@autism-society.org. Any cancellation of these services should also be made in writing no later than 30 days prior to the conference.
