Autism Experts Set to Speak at 2024 Minnesota Autism Conference April 17-19
The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) has curated a wide-ranging slate of autism experts and self-advocates as speakers for its 2024 Minnesota State Autism Conference, presented by Best Care. Keynote speakers include Joyner Emerick, Dr. Devon Price, and Dr. Paula Kluth.
AuSM’s conference will also feature 28 breakout sessions geared toward autistics, caregivers, educators, advocates, service providers, and support professionals. Between sessions, attendees have access to a resource fair with dozens of supporting exhibitors, as well as the AuSM Shop – an autism-focused store that includes books, sensory-friendly and self-care products, and other resources. For autistics seeking accommodations during the event, the conference’s accessibility guide is here. AuSM also created these audience-specific guides to make the conference more approachable, including: Autistic’s Guide to Conference; Educator’s Guide to Conference; Family Member’s Guide to Conference; and Therapist’s/Professional’s Guide to Conference.
Where: Hilton Doubletree Minneapolis Airport
When: April 17-17, 2024
More info and registration: https://ausm.org/events/state-autism-conference/
For a detailed conference schedule of all sessions, click here and see summary below.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 17
12:30-4:30 p.m.: Pre-Conference Workshop – This half-day kickoff is geared toward educators, recently-diagnosed autistics and their families, and others who may be new to the autism community. Hosted by AuSM’s counseling and education teams, attendees will get a foundational grounding that preps them for the rest of the conference.
THURSDAY APRIL 18
8-9:30 a.m. Keynote
You’re Going to Love This Kid!
Presented by Dr. Paula Kluth
10-11 a.m.: Breakout Sessions I
Session 1-How to Write a Neurodiversity-Affirming IEP presented by Maren Christenson Hofer*, Joyner Emerick, and Ryan Haenze
Session 2-Accessibility At Work – Disability Justice in the Workplace presented by Megan Perera
Session 3-Trauma in Autistic Children and Young Adults presented by Beth Pitchford, Barb Luskin, and Sara Lahti
Session 4-Estate Planning For Families with Special Needs presented by Jason Schellack
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions II
Session 1-The Roots of Behavior: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Perspective presented by Elizabeth Duffy and Michelle Pettit
Session 2-Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know presented by Tanya Heitzinger and Sarah Dicks
Session 3-Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth: Tools for Parents and Other Adults presented by Cat Hammond
Session 4-Trauma in Autistic Adults presented by Beth Pitchford, Barb Luskin, and Sara Lahti
1:15-2:45 p.m. Keynote
The Future of Autistic Self-Advocacy: Self-Realization, Solidarity, and Growing Class Consciousness
Presented by Dr. Devon Price
3:15-4:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions III
Session 1-Taking a Person-Centered Approach to ADLs presented by Nicole Ogren and Jake Archbold
Session 2-Leadership: Leading Without Conforming presented by Jillian Nelson
Session 3-Assessing Transition Needs Among Individuals With Disabilities and Caregivers presented by Mahasweta Bose, Carl Arps, Dr. Rebekah Hudock*, Dr. Chimei Lee, and Maren Christenson Hofer*
Session 4-What’s Behind the Mask: An Exploration of Masking, Burnout, and the Autistic Experience presented by Santanna Ficken and Sophie Tomsky
FRIDAY APRIL 19
8-9:30 a.m. Keynote
Beyond Words: Exploring Autistic Multimodal Communication
Presented by Joyner Emerick
10-11 a.m.: Breakout Sessions I
Session 1-The Art of Coregulation: Strategies to Regulate Emotions from Neurodivergent Perspectives presented by Tiffany Schroeer, Chelsey Hendrickx, and Revel Weber
Session 2-Setting and Keeping Boundaries presented by Sara Lahti
Session 3-Accessible Healthcare presented by Dr. Rebecca Vaurio
Session 4-Centering Joy: Lessons Learned from a Family Camp for Autistic Children in the Somali and Oromo Communities presented by Rufo Jiru, Delia Samuel, and Fatima Molas
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions II
Session 1-Empowerment and Belonging for Adult Women with Late Diagnoses presented by Laura Adrian
Session 2-Bridging Silos presented by Sara Swan
Session 3-Let’s Talk About ‘It:’ Building Comfort Around Sexuality and Development presented by Elissa Marble and Alyssa Perau
Session 4-Autistic Mental Health: Preventing and Responding to Crisis presented by Amelia Maciejewski
1:30-2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions III
Session 1-“Subtle but Significant” Autism presented by Dr. Megan Helmen
Session 2-Beyond To-Do Lists: Executive Function from an Affirming Perspective presented by Elizabeth Duffy and Santanna Ficken
Session 3-Obtaining Assent in Service Provision for Autistic Individuals presented by Rebecca Kolb
Session 4-Takeaways from the 2023 International ADHD Conference: RSD, Hormones, and More presented by Beth Pitchford
2:45-3:45 p.m. Breakout Sessions IV
Session 1-Research on Autism, Driven by Autistic Researchers (RADAR) presented by Isabelle Morris*, Freya Doherty*, and Jesica Sykes
Session 2-Helping Autistic Minnesotans Make Friends: Lessons Learned from Hosting Events presented by Mitchell Schaps
Session 3-Sleep Well: Tips and Tricks for Effortless Sleep presented by Jeremy Goldberg
Session 4-Gifted and Autistic: Unique Strengths, Challenges, and Therapeutic Considerations presented by Jaime Ascencio
For those unable to attend in-person, AuSM is offering a virtual pass to eight sessions. More info on virtual content here.