September 7 - 8, 2023
MS Department of Rehabilitation Services
Madison, Mississippi
A special room rate of $129 per night is available for conference attendees until August 16, 2023 at
Courtyard Jackson Madison
601 Baptist Drive
Madison, MS 39110
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR ROOM ONLINE or call the hotel at 601-605-8810 and ask for the Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities special rate.
When:
CONFERENCE
Thursday, September 7, 2023
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Friday, September 8, 2023
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Where:
Mississippi Department of Rehabilition Services
1281 US-51
Madison, MS 39110
Contact
Jennifer Johnson
Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities/MSPTI
(601) 969-0601
jennifer@mspti.org
The importance of transitions for those with autism cannot be stressed enough and doesn't happen overnight. The objective of this conference is to provide parents, advocates, professionals, and people with autism the opportunity to learn about resources and evidence-based best practices regarding planning and executing successful transitions.
Featured Speaker - Anthony Ianni
At the age of four Anthony was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS), which is on the Autism Spectrum (ASD). Doctors and specialists told Anthony’s parents that he would barely graduate high school, be an athlete, and never go to college. But he is here today to share with you a message about how to not only go out and be the change in life, but to also go out and make the change you wish to see in life.
Despite adversity, and numerous personal challenges Anthony worked hard and never gave up. Not only did he earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University (MSU) in Sociology he is the first athlete with autism to play NCAA Division One College Basketball. Anthony played for legendary coach Tom Izzo while at MSU. He won two Big Ten Championships, a Big Ten Tournament Title, was the recipient of the 2011 Tim Bograkos Walk On Award and the 2012 Unsung Player Award, and was also a member of the 2010 Final Four team.
During his senior season at Michigan State University, like any other student, Anthony was at a crossroads, unsure of what he wanted to do with his life after college. It was then that Michigan’s Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley gave him an opportunity that made him realize his story had the power to inspire others. Before his final basketball season ended, Mr. Calley asked Anthony if he was interested in giving the keynote address at an autism gala in Detroit hosted by the Autism Alliance of Michigan. He delivered a ten-minute speech and received a great reaction from the crowd. Driving home, he looked at his girlfriend and said, “I think I found my life’s calling. Other than Temple Grandin, what voice does the autism community have to look to for hope and inspiration?” He knew then that he wanted to be the person whose voice the autism community and others could look to and be inspired by.
The conference will include:
- Keynote address - Relentless: Dreams, Goals & Aspirations
- Breakout sessions on behavior, ABA, social skills, job skills training, social security benefits, social justice and assistive technology
- Family and Adult Panel
- Opportunities to network with speakers, providers, professionals and family members
Registration Fee
Through July 31 - $100
August 1-31 - $125
After August 31 and On-site - $150
Students $50 (must show student ID)
Note: attendance scholarships are available for parents/guardians of and/or persons with autism. You may request a scholarship when registering online. Check "pay at door" as your form of payment. You will be notified via email when your request has been approved.
Cancellation: The registration fee for this event is forfeited if attendance is cancelled. You may send a substitute. As a courtesy to the planners, written notice of your intent not to attend or to send a substitute is appreciated by 8/30/23. That notice can be made by e-mail to jennifer@mspti.org.
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselors
- Nursing Home Administrators
- Social Workers (limited sessions approved - see agenda)
- Teachers
- DMH Mental Health Therapist, Licensed Administrator, Community Support Specialist, Addiction Therapist, IDD Therapist and Peer Support Specialist
