22nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Save the Date!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
The Log Cabin Banquet and Meetinghouse
500 Easthampton Rd., Holyoke, MA

Guest Speakers:
V. Mark Durand
Stephen Shore

To register, click here.

For the school district lottery form, click here.

V. Mark Durand

Dr. Durand is professor of psychology at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Durand founded the Albany Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. His published work includes numerous books and over 100 other research publications. One book- Severe Behavior Problems - is the product of 10 years of empirical research. He developed the treatment called Functional Communication Training and the Motivation Assessment Scale, a functional behavioral assessment instrument. He has authored several bestselling textbooks, including Abnormal Psychology and published the first book on sleep disorders for children with disabilities. Dr. Durand is on the Board of Professional Advisors for the Autism Society of America and the Board of the Association for Positive Behavior Support and is the co-editor of the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions. His new book - Optimistic Parenting: Hope and Help for You and Your Challenging Child - is published by Paul H. Brookes Publishing.

Stephen Shore

Diagnosed with "Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies" Dr. Shore was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much help from his parents, teachers, and others, Stephen completed his doctoral dissertation at Boston University focused on matching best practice with the needs of people on the autism spectrum. Recently, Dr. Shore has accepted a professorship at Adelphi University teaching courses in special education and autism.

In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies.

President emeritus of the Asperger's Association of New England, Dr. Shore serves on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, for the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America, Unlocking Autism, MAAP, the College Internship Program, and USAAA.

21st ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Our 21th Annual Conference was a tremendous success!  Almost 400 family members, teachers, and professionals gathered at The Log Cabin in Holyoke to learn about the most current information and gain insight into those affected by autism. 

Barry Prizant, Ph.D. CCC-SLP spoke about the SCERTS Model, an innovative educational approach for children and older individuals with ASD. His talk focused on the basics of the SCERTS Model and addressed effective strategies for problem behaviors. Roy Richard Grinker, Ph.D., who has a daughter with autism, spoke about the historical and socio-cultural forces that have changed public perceptions of people with disabilities.

We would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to our donors, sponsors, and advertisers for their generous contributions and commitment to making this event so successful.  A very special thank-you goes to Doug Cote (one of our “dads”) and Quad/Graphics for the beautiful brochures. Doug put countless hours into laying out the brochure content and advertisements.  As we continue to grow as an organization, the partnerships we have with our sponsors are vital to our success, and truly appreciated.

Conference Brochure Sponsor
Quad/Graphics

Breakfast Sponsor
Mercy Medical Center Blood Bank

Speaker Sponsor
University of Massachusetts - Amherst ~ Department of Communication Disorders
Thanks to funds granted to Dr. Mary Andrianopoulos by the US Department of Education

Parent Scholarship Sponsors
The Association For Community Living
Baystate Health
The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation For Autism, Inc.
Radcliffe is the Reason and Arthur, Too. Fight Autism

Autism Awareness Item Sponsor
Valley Marketing

Educational Advocacy Sponsors
Kiwanis Club of Easthampton
Yankee Candle Flagship

Signage Sponsor
Puffer Printing

Table Sponsors
AFAM - Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts
The Log Cabin~Delaney House
Communication Therapy Associates
The Kids' Dentist & KD Orthodontics

Raffle Item Donors

Yankee Candle
Ballroom Fever, Inc.
Pride Gas Station
Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation For Autism, Inc.
Frigos
A Touch of Garlic
Autism Asperger Publishing Company
Competitive Edge Ski & Bike