Asperger Syndrome Connections
**October 4-5, 2013
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
**Friday, October 4 is sold out. Registration accepted for Saturday only. Scroll down for fees.

AANE's Annual Conference for Those Interested in Individuals
with AS/ASD and related social communication differences
Keynote Speakers:
October 5th
Steve Silberman ~ Ron Fournier
Plus, 6 workshops/panels.

October 5
8:30 - 9:30 AM                       Check-in & Coffee/Book Store & Exhibitors open through lunch
9:30 - 10:45 AM                     Keynote Speaker: Steve Silberman
10:45 - 11:00 AM                   Break
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM             Keynote Speaker: Ron Fournier
12:15 - 1:30 PM                     Lunch (on your own) & Networking Tables
1:30 - 4:00 PM                       Workshops
4:00 - 4:30 PM                       Day 2 ends; pick up CE credits/certificates in person

Keynote Presentations

Steve Silberman: Thinking Smarter About People Who Think Differently
Steve will present a brief overview of the history of autism and what it teaches us about the nature and diversity of human intelligence, starting with Hans Asperger's discovery of the spectrum and "autistic intelligence" in his clinic in Vienna in the 1940s. Throughout history, two ways of understanding autism have competed for public attention and resources: One, to see it primarily as a psychiatric or medical issue; two,
to see autism as a form of human variation with its own distinctive strengths, customs, and culture. The first way prevailed for decades, until autistic people began to articulate their own experiences of thinking differently. Steve will explore what this means for the evolution of science and technology and the future of society.
Steve Silberman writes for Wired magazine and is a blogger for the Public Library. In 2001, he published "The Geek Syndrome," one of the first articles in the mainstream press to explore autism in the techn industry and the concept of neurodiversity. His stories have appeared in Time, New Yorker, and many other national publications, and have been reprinted in anthologies such as The Best Science Writing Online. In 2011, he received the Science Journalism of the Year award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His book, NeuroTribes: Thinking Smarter About People Who Think Differently, will be published in 2014 by Avery Penguin.

Ron Fournier: What Two Presidents Taught Me About Love, Guilt and Fatherhood
Ron will discuss how to avoid the mistakes of parenthood in a high-pressure society, including imposing your expectations upon your children; not shielding your children (especially those with special needs) from society’s expectation; and failing to be the best advocate for your child.
Ron Fournier is the Editorial Director of National Journal. Prior to that, he worked at the Associated Press for 20 years, most recently as Washington Bureau Chief. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi Award for coverage of the 2000 elections and a four-time winner of the prestigious White House Correspondents' Association Merriman Smith Memorial Award. His 2012 piece on the decline of U.S. institutions, "In Nothing We Trust," was awarded an honorable mention in David Brook’s essay contest, the Sidney Awards. He is working on a book now based on a highly praised magazine story titled, "First, Family: How Two Presidents Helped Me Deal with Guilt, Love and Fatherhood." It documented the journey Ron took with his son, a newly diagnosed Aspie, to presidential libraries and homesteads, including private visits with Presidents Bush and Clinton. 

Workshops
(Choose one if attending this day; to ensure sufficient seating, switching workshops at the conference is not permitted.)

#4: Understanding Relationships in Individuals with Asperger Syndrome
Presenter: Isabelle Henault, Sexologist/Psychologist, Autism and Asperger’s Clinic, Montreal
For: Adults/Teens with AS; Parents of Adults/Teens
This presentation examines the intimate relationships in individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). In a relationship, the expression of traits and behaviors linked to AS vary according to several factors such as prior experiences, self-disclosure, acceptance of the syndrome, quality of communication, family situation, mutual support, partner motivation, and many more. The presentation will explore issues such as development, intimacy, empathy, sexual desire, commitment and safety. Finally, reflections made by individuals with AS will be presented. 

#5: Medication Panel
Moderator: Nora D. B. Friedman, MD  
Panelists: Jonathan Bass, MD; Christopher J. McDougle, MD; Daniel Rosenn, MD
For: All Attendees
A panel of experts will share their perspectives on the use of medication to improve symptoms that are associated with ASD. These include motor hyperactivity and inattention, irritability, ritualistic behavior, sleep disturbance, and mood and anxiety disorders.

Workshop #6: The Hidden Curriculum of Getting and Keeping a Job
Presenter: Brenda Smith Myles, Consultant
For: Adults/Older Teens with AS; Parents of Children/Teens/Adults; Educators/Professionals
Adults with high-functioning autism/Asperger Syndrome often have difficulty getting and keeping a job that is unrelated to their job skills. This session provides necessary yet often untaught information—the hidden curriculum—on a variety of topics related to getting a job, finding a mentor, networking, using agencies, interviewing, talking with supervisors, dealing with on-the-job frustrations, understanding the social rules at work, maintaining a job, and many other topics. 

#7: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety in Children with Asperger’s Syndrome
Presenter: Dr. Carol Singer, Licensed Psychologist
For: Educators/Professionals
This presentation will focus on how to adapt CBT to treat children with Asperger’s Syndrome in the psychotherapeutic setting, using video, lecture, and group practice to demonstrate CBT practices and techniques. A basic knowledge of CBT is recommended.

#8: Smart but Scattered: Helping Children with Executive Dysfunction at Home and at School
Presenter: Peg Dawson, Ed.D., Psychologist
For: Parents of Children/Teens; Educators/Professionals
Executive skills are brain-based skills such as impulse control, flexibility, sustained attention, planning and time management that impact both school performance and overall adjustment. Youngsters with Asperger’s have predictable patterns of executive skill weaknesses. This workshop will help participants understand those patterns and how to help children and teenagers improve executive functioning and develop effective coping strategies. 

#9: Developing Independence in Your Teen and Adult
Moderator: Lynne Mitchell, MSW, School Consultant  
Panelists: Michelle S. Alkon, MS, Coordinator of Adult Services at AANE; Kelley Challen, EdM, CAS, Director
of Transition Services at NESCA; Bonnie Glickman, M.Ed., M.Sc., NCC, Educational Consultant
For: Parents of Teens/Young Adults
A panel discussion focusing on what skills are needed to move from school to college or career with great success and independence. A major focus will be on increasing self-understanding, self-advocacy and the ability to work with others at school, on the job, and in the community.

General Information
Registration Deadline is September 22nd or until seats sell out!

Registration fees include morning coffee only; lunch not included (bring your own or buy at the George Sherman Union Dining Commons or at eateries on Commonwealth Ave.).

Additional $25 fee for late registrations postmarked or received by AANE after September 22. No discount if you cannot attend an entire day’s program.
                                                                              Saturday Only (10/5) 

AANE Member                                                     $85 per person          

Non-member**                                                    $135 per person       

Additional registrant from same address   $85 per person          
(First registrant must be a member; additional group discounts not available for professionals/educators.)

Continuing Education Fee, if requesting credits: $20 per day/per person

**Note: Non-member fees include a new one-year AANE membership/renewal. If you are unsure of your membership status, please call AANE at (617) 393-3824, ext. 10 to check; you will not be registered for the conference if the correct fees are not enclosed.

Refund Policy: Refunds, minus a $25 refund processing fee per person, available until September 22, 2013. No refunds/credits after Sept. 22 or for no-shows. If you register under the non-member rate, which includes a new one-year AANE membership/renewal, and you cancel your conference registration, your membership/renewal will also be canceled unless you pay the applicable membership fee ($50 non-professional individual/family; $75 professional/educator/organization).

Directions/Parking: Log on to www.bu.edu/maps  Parking available at nearby campus lots ($8/subject to change). Parking info will be emailed to registrants a few days before the conference.

Public Transportation: Take the Green Line “B” train for Commonwealth Avenue stops.

Lunch not provided either day; only morning coffee at check-in will be provided. You may bring your own lunch or buy lunch in the Dining Commons at the George Sherman Union or at an eatery on Commonwealth Ave. Lunch tables will be available adjacent to the George Sherman Union Ballroom.

NetworkingTables: If you would like to meet others in the AANE community in your geographic area or who share common interests, there will be designated tables each day at lunchtime. To help us plan how many tables to designate, please indicate your interest from the choices on the registration form. Indicating your interest does not obligate you to sit at a networking table.

The book store & exhibitor area will be open a half day, through lunch, on Saturday, Oct 5. Please visit during morning check-in, lunch, and break times.

Due to sensory sensitivities among those in our community, please refrain from wearing perfume/scented products at the conference.

Dogs: Only leashed service dogs permitted

Lodging: A limited number of rooms at the nearby Hotel Commonwealth are available on Thursday (Oct. 3), Friday (Oct. 4), and Saturday (Oct. 5) nights at the preferred group rate of $259 (+tax) per room, per night, (617) 532-5019 or toll-free (866) 784-4000, www.hotelcommonwealth.com. You must book directly with the hotel no later than September 3rd and identify “Asperger’s Association of New England Accommodations” when calling.  Also within walking distance are the Hyatt Regency/Cambridge (www.cambridge.hyatt.com,
(617) 492-1234) and Holiday Inn/Brookline (www.holidayinn.com, (617) 277-1200); contact the hotels directly for rates/reservations. Other lodging options can be found at www.bostonreservations.com, (866) 784-4000.

Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Advertising Opportunities:  If you have a service/product that you would like to advertise at this conference, please visit www.aane.org, Upcoming Events, for information about sponsorship, exhibitor & advertising opportunities. The deadline is September 18, 2013.

Weather or Public Emergency: Call (617) 393-3824, x10, for a recorded message regarding the conference status.

Continuing Education Credits
(Applications have been submitted.)

Credits/certificates distributed separately for each day. You must check out in person at the end of the day so that your attendance can be noted and credits/certificates distributed for the day. Requests for credits/certificates will not be accepted after the conference ends for that day, including if you forget to pick them up for the previous day.

The CE fee is $20 per day, per person.
You must attend the full day’s program, check out in person at the end of the day, and complete all requirements specified by your professional organization.
Credits/certificates will not be distributed before the end of the day or if you need to leave early for any reason. Please plan travel time, child care, etc. so you can attend the full day’s program. No partial credits given. Credits/certificates cannot be picked up for another individual.
Grievances: Call AANE after the conference to resolve concerns.

Psychologists (APA): Child & Family Psychological Services, Inc. is approved by the American
Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Child & Family Psychological Services Inc. (www.CFPSYCH.org) maintains responsibility for the program and its content.
October 5th: 5 Hours

Speech Language Pathologists (ASHA)
October 5th: This course is offered for 0.50 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).

Social Workers (NASW) 
October 5th: 5 Category I CE Hours

Mental Health Counselors (MaMHCA/MMCEP)
October 5th: 5 CE Hours

Nurses: This program meets the requirements for nurses for 6 contact hours on October 5th, as specified by the MA Board of  Registration in Nursing-244 CMR 5.04.

PDPs: Not available for attending one day. 

A general Certificate of Attendance is available to anyone who attends the full day's program. No fee.