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14th Annual Autism Summer Institute

Express Yourself: Supporting Communication through the Arts, Advocacy, and Education

Description:

Since 1999 the Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire has presented the Autism Summer Institute (ASI), a conference for families, educators, community service providers, and self advocates. The 2012 ASI theme is Express Yourself: Supporting Communication through the Arts, Advocacy, and Education. Self-expression is the key to people with autism communicating, learning, achieving their dreams, and having a rich and rewarding life. The theme will be carried out in seven breakout strands over the course of the three-day conference, including:

• Hands-on skill building for supported communication users
• Supporting expressive communication through Facilitated Communication (FC) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Assistive technology, including the iPad
• Leadership and self-advocacy, organized by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network
• Academic supports and constructing competence
• A first-ever strand on autism and the arts
• Contemporary topics representing current and emerging issues

              

Presenter(s):

Featuring keynote presentations by:

• Judy Endow, MSW, International Consultant and Author
• Christy Ashby, Research Director, Institute on Communication and Inclusion, Syracuse University
• Michael McSheehan, Clinical Assistant Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of New Hampshire
• Julia Bascom, Autistic Self Advocacy Network
• Larry Bissonnette and Tracy Thresher from the film Wretches and Jabberers

Additional presenters include:

• Pascal Cheng, M.Ed., C.A.S., Education and Communication Specialist, Institute on Communication and Inclusion, Syracuse University
• Amy Frechette, A.S., ASD Consultant, Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire
• Janine Guncic, Facilitated Communication Trainer, Whittier, CA
• Darlene Hanson, MA, CCC, Director of Communication Services, Whittier Area Parents’ Association for the Developmentally Handicapped (WAPADH)
• Cheryl Jorgensen, Ph.D., Inclusive Education Consultant
• Christi Kasa, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
• Laurie Lambert, M.Ed., Project Associate, Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire
• Harvey Lavoy, Communication Resource Specialist, Institute on Communication and Inclusion, Syracuse University
• Brady Miller-Wakeham, MA, Program Director, Whittier Area Parents’ Association for the Developmentally Handicapped (WAPADH)
• Ari Ne’eman, President and Co-founder, Autistic Self Advocacy Network
• Paula Rais, Director of Community Engagement, The Children's Museum of New Hampshire
• Scott Robertson, Co-Founder and Vice Chair of Development, Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
• Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Boston University
• Rita Rubin, MA, Facilitated Communication Trainer, Whittier, CA
• Mary Schuh, Ph.D., Associate Director, Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire
• Therese Willkomm, Ph.D., ATP, Project Director, Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire