Asperger's Association of New England
presents:

The Jody Acford Spirit Conference
Know Yourself:
The Key to a Better Life 2012

AANE's Annual Conference for Adults with
Asperger Syndrome and Related Conditions

Keynote Speaker:

Michael John Carley
"New Ways and Old Ways of
Looking at the Autism Spectrum"

About the Adult Conference

Know Yourself: The Key to a Better Life is AANE’s sixth annual conference designed exclusively for adults (post-high school and older) with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and related conditions. Headlined by a dynamic keynote speaker and combining a diverse program of workshops, networking, and social connection, we hope this conference will  leave you knowing yourself better, knowing practical strategies to improve your life and, most importantly, knowing that you are not alone. We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

Important! This conference is only for adults with AS and related conditions (post high-school and older). There will be a designated area where parents and friends who wish to stay at the college can wait for the day.

Many thanks to the Burgay Family for underwriting this conference.

About the Keynote Presentation

Very akin to a journey, “New Ways and Old Ways of Looking at the Autism Spectrum” examines the many ways we look at the entire autism spectrum, and guides us through the confusing mixed messages we receive today. With a very humanist roadmap,  author and GRASP Executive Director Michael John Carley discusses obstacles faced by adults and their parents, and the myths surrounding their capabilities. He briefly reviews the sociological history of why we react the way we do to words like "autism" and "Asperger's." Lastly, as an adult with Asperger's himself (and the father of a child with AS) Michael sprinkles in his own personal reflections as he outlines—characteristic by characteristic—how subjective our view of the spectrum truly can be.

About the Keynote Speaker 

Michael John Carley was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 2000 and is the father of a son with AS. He is the Executive Director of GRASP, the largest organization in the world comprised of adults on the autism spectrum, as well as the Executive Director of ASTEP, working with corporations to help them understand the needs of their spectrum employees. In both roles, he is a sought-after speaker at conferences, hospitals, universities and health care organizations.

Michael is the author of Asperger’s From the Inside Out: A Supportive and Practical Guide for Anyone with Asperger’s Syndrome, published in 2008, and recently completed his second book, The Last Memoir of Asperger’s Syndrome. His articles have been published in magazines including Autism Spectrum Quarterly, TAP (The Autism Perspective), and Autism/Asperger Digest. He has appeared widely in the media, including the New York Times, Washington Post, London Times, ABC News, BBC News, Psychology Today, and on radio with Terry Gross’s Fresh Air and The Infinite Mind. NPR News aired a 12-minute story in 2006 featuring Michael and GRASP, and he was also featured in the documentary, On the Spectrum.

Michael received his BA from Hampshire College in 1986 and his MFA from Columbia University in 1989. His background includes serving as the United Nations Representative of Veterans for Peace, Inc. Prior to 2001, he was a playwright who enjoyed 15 productions and 10 readings of his plays in New York.

Conference Fee, per Person:  $50 per person, includes coffee/tea (only) at check-in, box lunch, and ice cream social     For financial aid, please call Lisa Graffeo at (617) 393-3824, ext. 10

Registration Deadline: Advance registration with payment is required by July 18 , 2012.    

Refunds: Refunds, minus a $10 processing fee per person, are available until July 11, 2012. No refunds after July 11th. There is no discount if you cannot attend the entire day.

Lunch and Special Diets: Please indicate on the registration form if you would like a box lunch and if you require the gluten-free or vegetarian option, or if you are bringing your own lunch. We’re sorry, but we cannot accommodate any other dietary restrictions. There is no discount if you bring your own lunch.

Chemical Sensitivities: Due to chemical sensitivities among those in our Asperger’s community, please refrain from wearing perfume/scented products at the conference.

Dogs: Only leashed service dogs allowed.

Directions & Shuttle Service: Log on to www.massbay.edu; move your cursor to Contact & Locations at the top right hand side of the page and in the drop down menu that appears, click Wellesley Hills Campus. Free parking is available on campus. If taking public transportation, a shuttle will be available from Riverside Station (Green Line—D Train); the shuttle will make two runs from Riverside to the College starting at 8:45 a.m. and two runs from the College to Riverside starting at 5:00 p.m. Please indicate on the registration form if you will use the shuttle.

Conference Schedule

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.           Conference Check-In & Coffee/Tea
                                           (no breakfast food provided; you may bring your own)
9:30 - 9:45 a.m.            Welcome
9:45 - 11:45 a.m.           Keynote Presentation by Michael John Carley
12 noon - 1:00 p.m.     Lunch: box lunch included in registration fee or bring your own
                                           (no restaurants in the area)
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.            Workshop Session One
2:45 - 4:15 p.m.             Workshop Session Two
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.            Ice Cream Social and Book Sale/Signing

Workshop Session One
(Please indicate 1st and 2nd choice on the registration form.)

Workshop A: Misadventures and Missed Adventures: Finding Humor in Relationships     
Presenter: CarolAnn Edscorn, Autism Ability Consulting
Words, facial expressions and body language—the usual world is as much a puzzle for us on the spectrum as we are to the majority. Turning a social gaffe into humor helps lighten the moment, but how can a relationship actually be rescued? How many friends have been “lost?” How many opportunities have flown past? If we want others to presume our competence, we need to believe in ourselves, too. CarolAnn blends personal anecdotes with current science.

Workshop B: The Promise of Alarmist Rhetoric—The DSM-5 and Autism Politics 101    
Presenter: Michael John Carley, Executive Director, GRASP
Author and GRASP’s Executive Director, Michael John Carley, will brief us on the current status of the controversy surrounding the proposed changes to ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) in the DSM-5. He also outlines the history of "Autism Wars" since the early 1990s, outlining the specific controversies and the genesis of their development as arguments.

Workshop C: GSA’s—Gender, Sexuality and Asperger’s    
Moderator: Charles Strauss, LICSW    
Panelists: Karen Boyd, Todd Garvin, Caroline Narby, Anyazelie Zephyaire, Ray Saxon
 A brief overview of sexual orientation and gender diversity within the ASD community will be followed by personal stories of panelists with diverse experiences of sexuality and gender.

Workshop D: Living a Balanced Life—Managing Your Time, Interests and Responsibilities 
Facilitator: Michelle Alkon, Coordinator of Adult Services, AANE
Balancing what you want to do and what you need to do is a challenge for everyone. Managing time spent engaged in special interest activities can distract from responsibilities of adult life. This facilitated discussion will provide an opportunity to share with others and swap strategies for managing and balancing your time, interests and responsibilities.

Workshop Session Two
(Please indicate 1st and 2nd choice on the registration form.)

Workshop E: Spontaneity for Life and Fun     
Presenter: Carol Feldman-Bass, Social Dynamix
Carol will use action methods and theater techniques to create a safe arena of spontaneity, playfulness and joy that can be used in daily life. Through coaching, discussion, warm-up exercises and creative improvisation games, participants will have fun learning to be more trusting, cooperative and spontaneous with themselves and others.

Workshop F: LifeMAP Client Panel     
Moderator: Nataliya Poto, LifeMAP Program Director, AANE   
Panelists: Daniel Dwyer, Troy Lake, Caitlin Medlar, Meghan Northup, Joseph Perry  
LifeMAP coaching clients discuss their experiences with the coaching process, including goal-setting, challenges and accomplishments. The coaching relationship will also be addressed.

Workshop G: Q & A with Michael John Carley

Workshop H: Poster Session     
Facilitator: Michelle Alkon, Coordinator of Adult Services, AANE
Many members of our community have a passionate special interest or a unique area of expertise. In this workshop, you will able to share the interests of selected members of the community as they discuss them in a Poster Session. Note: Posters will be available for viewing all day but the presenters will only be available for conversations during this workshop session.

Workshop I: How to Market Yourself and Get a Job
Presenter: Barbara Bissonnette, Principal, Forward Motion Coaching
Successful job seekers market their skills and abilities to employers. Learn how to identify the right job, write a powerful resume, and interview effectively and confidently.

 

Register Now!