What sets the annual Autism Society National Conference apart?

June 28, 2012
By By Anne Holmes, M.S., C.C.C, BCBA, Chairperson of the Panel of Professional Advisors

Now in its 43rd year, the Autism Society National Conference is the longest-running conference on autism spectrum disorders in the country.  For all of these years, the Autism Society Conference continues to fill the need it met at its inception: to provide a venue for parents, self-advocates and professionals to meet, network, share best practices and come away with new and innovative information. 

The conference has grown from a single day to three days of breakout sessions, three keynotes, and an exhibit hall with products and services tailored to the autism community.  In addition, we now provide continuing education credits to professionals, including BCBA, ASHA and APA as well as certificates for educators and other professionals.

For this year’s conference, we have honed the content and chosen presenters and topics that touch on every part of the lifespan from early diagnosis through adulthood.  We offer sessions that bring the most current information to parents, professionals and self-advocates. Most importantly, these individuals return home with skills and insights they can put into practice to improve their communities and their own lives. In addition, we have enhanced the exhibit hall experience to allow attendees more dedicated time to devote to learning about autism-related products and services. 

Beyond access to a variety of excellent content, the Autism Society National Conference has always been a place where self-advocates, parents and professionals can make lasting connections and become empowered to make a difference.  It is a place where a parent can learn how to best advocate for a child’s IEP or connect with other family members who truly understand; a self-advocate can form life-long connections with others on the spectrum or connect with an Autism Society chapter to become involved on a local level; and where a professional can get new ideas and strategies to implement immediately or network with our Panel of Professional Advisors.

It is the community created each year with attendees, presenters, and exhibitors that really sets the Autism Society National Conference apart. That community is comprised of those who are coming for the first time as well as those who have made the conference part of their calendar for years make this an event not to be missed!

Visit the Autism Society Conference website to view the 2012 Conference program and register to attend or exhibit now.