January 11 & 12, 2013
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
University Student Union, Northridge Center
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330
This two-day conference provides essential information for parents and professionals working with transition-age youth and adults on the autism spectrum. Speakers and panelists will address relevant topics of interest to all attendees, with an emphasis on needs, solutions and resources for individuals across the spectrum.
Friday, January 11 (7:30 - 8:30 Registration)
8:30 - 8:45 Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:45 - 9:45 The Future is Now: Creating a Meaningful Life for Adults with ASD
Dena Gassner, LMSW - Center for Understanding, Franklin Tennessee
Award winning advocate and writer Dena Gassner, an individual with Aspergers Syndrome, the mother of a young man on the spectrum, and a professional in adult support services, shares her perspective about how to motivate, engage and support teens and young adults with ASD while they are still in school and help adults with ASD realize their potential, even after they have left the school system.
Dena Gassner, LMSW - Center for Understanding, Franklin Tennessee
Award winning advocate and writer Dena Gassner, an individual with Aspergers Syndrome, the mother of a young man on the spectrum, and a professional in adult support services, shares her perspective about how to motivate, engage and support teens and young adults with ASD while they are still in school and help adults with ASD realize their potential, even after they have left the school system.
10:00 - 11:15 Breakout Session F1: Creating Effective Transition Plans
Dr. Diana Blackmon Ed.D
The primary author of the California Department of Education’s Transition to Adult Living: An Information and Resource Guide. Dr. Diana Blackmon will explore the requirements of transition planning and suggest how to maximize plan effectiveness.
Dr. Diana Blackmon Ed.D
The primary author of the California Department of Education’s Transition to Adult Living: An Information and Resource Guide. Dr. Diana Blackmon will explore the requirements of transition planning and suggest how to maximize plan effectiveness.
Breakout Session F2: Moving Forward: Helping Adults Realize Their Potential
Steve Miller - Executive Director, Tierra Del Sol Foundation
Some adults with ASD leave school without plans or needed supports for adult life. Others experience failure after leaving school and give up. This session offers practical ideas to motivate, engage and support adults with ASD who have already left school.
Steve Miller - Executive Director, Tierra Del Sol Foundation
Some adults with ASD leave school without plans or needed supports for adult life. Others experience failure after leaving school and give up. This session offers practical ideas to motivate, engage and support adults with ASD who have already left school.
Breakout Session F3: Writing & Implementing Transition Goals
Geri Fuchigami, M.A. - Coordinator, Behavior, Transition and LRE Support, Los Angeles Unified School District.
Meaningful goals are central to the transition plan for teens and young adults with ASD. Learn about assessing in multiple domains, writing meaningful goals, and selecting connecting activities to meet the goals.
Geri Fuchigami, M.A. - Coordinator, Behavior, Transition and LRE Support, Los Angeles Unified School District.
Meaningful goals are central to the transition plan for teens and young adults with ASD. Learn about assessing in multiple domains, writing meaningful goals, and selecting connecting activities to meet the goals.
11:15-12:15 Breakout Session F4: Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Adults with ASD
Darlene Hanson, MA - Director of Communication Services, Whittier Area Parent Association for the Developmentally Handicapped.
Everyone needs a voice, which becomes even more important as young people become adults and take their place in the world. Learn about options to help low-verbal and nonverbal youth and adults communicate.
Darlene Hanson, MA - Director of Communication Services, Whittier Area Parent Association for the Developmentally Handicapped.
Everyone needs a voice, which becomes even more important as young people become adults and take their place in the world. Learn about options to help low-verbal and nonverbal youth and adults communicate.
Breakout Session F5: Achieving an Authentic Life with Asperger Syndrome
Dena Gassner, LMSW - Center for Understanding, Franklin Tennessee
Dena will discuss how embracing her authentic identity as a person with Aspergers Syndrome has shaped her life and that of her son, Patrick who also lives with autism. In her journey, Dena first tried to hide her condition, but found that this left her isolated and disengaged from the support, services, understanding, and empathy needed to be healthy. Dena will discuss “The Missing Link,” the multi-step process she used to achieve authenticity, that she also uses in her private practice at The Center for Understanding to help each person reach their own personal best.
Dena Gassner, LMSW - Center for Understanding, Franklin Tennessee
Dena will discuss how embracing her authentic identity as a person with Aspergers Syndrome has shaped her life and that of her son, Patrick who also lives with autism. In her journey, Dena first tried to hide her condition, but found that this left her isolated and disengaged from the support, services, understanding, and empathy needed to be healthy. Dena will discuss “The Missing Link,” the multi-step process she used to achieve authenticity, that she also uses in her private practice at The Center for Understanding to help each person reach their own personal best.
12:15 - 1:30 Lunch is provided
1:30 - 3:00 Options and Solutions: Connecting to Agencies & Resources
Panel Presentation - Moderated by Emily Iland (click for panelists)
Parents and professionals often feel lost when moving from school-based supports to community and adult supports. Local providers will explain how to access a wide range of services for adults such as Social Security benefits, mental health, healthcare, regional center, behavioral services, conservatorship, and power of attorney.
Panel Presentation - Moderated by Emily Iland (click for panelists)
Parents and professionals often feel lost when moving from school-based supports to community and adult supports. Local providers will explain how to access a wide range of services for adults such as Social Security benefits, mental health, healthcare, regional center, behavioral services, conservatorship, and power of attorney.
3:15 - 4:30 Safety and the Law for People on the Autism Spectrum
Member of LAPD Autism Support Group and Detective III Gilbert Escontrias, Los Angeles Police Department
Law Enforcement Professionals from the Los Angeles Police Department, including Department members who are also parents of young adults with ASD, will discuss safety in the community and online.
Member of LAPD Autism Support Group and Detective III Gilbert Escontrias, Los Angeles Police Department
Law Enforcement Professionals from the Los Angeles Police Department, including Department members who are also parents of young adults with ASD, will discuss safety in the community and online.
Saturday, January 12 (8:00 - 9:00 Registration)
8:00 - 9:00 Registration and Welcome
9:00 - 9:30 Ido Kedar - Inspirational speaker with autism.
Author of "Ido in Autismland: Climbing Out of Autism's Silent Prison"
Join the brilliant sixteen-year-old author for an inspiring perspective on his personal struggles and growth. Ido explains autism symptoms from the inside out and has a unique perspective that may differ from many of the autism theories currently being used today. He describes his education and how he was able to move from a self-contained special education classroom into general education. Ido’s goal in telling his inspiring unique story is the hope that it will help other people with autism learn to communicate.
Author of "Ido in Autismland: Climbing Out of Autism's Silent Prison"
Join the brilliant sixteen-year-old author for an inspiring perspective on his personal struggles and growth. Ido explains autism symptoms from the inside out and has a unique perspective that may differ from many of the autism theories currently being used today. He describes his education and how he was able to move from a self-contained special education classroom into general education. Ido’s goal in telling his inspiring unique story is the hope that it will help other people with autism learn to communicate.
9:30 - 10:30 Life Skills for Adulthood: Identifying Needed Skills & Resources
Panel Presentation (click for panelists)
What skills do teens and adults need for the adult life they wish to lead? This question is essential for planning and supporting adults with ASD, yet often goes unasked or answered. Learn about assessment tools that can help identify skills a person has, what he or she needs to learn, and how to find resources for teaching.
Panel Presentation (click for panelists)
What skills do teens and adults need for the adult life they wish to lead? This question is essential for planning and supporting adults with ASD, yet often goes unasked or answered. Learn about assessment tools that can help identify skills a person has, what he or she needs to learn, and how to find resources for teaching.
10:30 - 12:00 Breakout Session S1: Living Options & Supports: From Traditional to Innovative
Lisa Kimura, North Los Angeles County Regional Center,
Panel Presentation (click for panelists)
This speaker and panelists will explore the full range of living options for those with ASD, discuss the types of supports and programs that are available, and connect the audience to local providers and resources.
Lisa Kimura, North Los Angeles County Regional Center,
Panel Presentation (click for panelists)
This speaker and panelists will explore the full range of living options for those with ASD, discuss the types of supports and programs that are available, and connect the audience to local providers and resources.
Breakout Session S2: Insider tips to College: What to Know Before You Go
College and Post-Secondary Education: Strategies & Supports for Success
Tom Iland, C.P.A.
A young adult with ASD with personal experience offers advice and practical tips to know before going to community college or a university. Such as how to relate college placement tests to the transition plan.
The Strategies & Supports for Success panel begins immediately after the presenter. See Breakout S4
College and Post-Secondary Education: Strategies & Supports for Success
Tom Iland, C.P.A.
A young adult with ASD with personal experience offers advice and practical tips to know before going to community college or a university. Such as how to relate college placement tests to the transition plan.
The Strategies & Supports for Success panel begins immediately after the presenter. See Breakout S4
12:00 - 1:30 Lunch is provided
1:30 - 3:30 Breakout Session S3: Employment Options and Supports: From Traditional to Innovative
Wayne Foglesong Principal LAUSD Local District 1 Miller Career and Transition Center, Panel Presentation (click for panelists)
The speaker and panelists will explore the full range of employment options for those with ASD, discuss the types of preparation programs and employment supports that are available, and connect the audience to local providers and resources.
Wayne Foglesong Principal LAUSD Local District 1 Miller Career and Transition Center, Panel Presentation (click for panelists)
The speaker and panelists will explore the full range of employment options for those with ASD, discuss the types of preparation programs and employment supports that are available, and connect the audience to local providers and resources.
Breakout Session S4: College and Post-Secondary Education: Strategies & Supports for Success
Dr. Ivor Weiner Moderator, Principal Investigator for FFREC, Professor at CSUN in the Department of Special Education, Panel Presentation (click for panelists)
A panel of parents and professionals with experience supporting young adults with ASD at college share insights and practical information about the strategies and supports needed for success, along with options and resources that may be available. Students with ASD share their perspectives about “what works.”
Dr. Ivor Weiner Moderator, Principal Investigator for FFREC, Professor at CSUN in the Department of Special Education, Panel Presentation (click for panelists)
A panel of parents and professionals with experience supporting young adults with ASD at college share insights and practical information about the strategies and supports needed for success, along with options and resources that may be available. Students with ASD share their perspectives about “what works.”
3:15 - 4:30 Self-Awareness, Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination
Moderated by Judy Mark, Chair of ASLA Government Relations Committee,
Panel Presentation (click for panelists)
Adults with ASD want to be involved in the choices and decisions about their lives and futures. This panel, which includes adults with ASD, explores Self-Awareness, Advocacy and Self-Determination, and how they are related.
Moderated by Judy Mark, Chair of ASLA Government Relations Committee,
Panel Presentation (click for panelists)
Adults with ASD want to be involved in the choices and decisions about their lives and futures. This panel, which includes adults with ASD, explores Self-Awareness, Advocacy and Self-Determination, and how they are related.