Targeting Autism Forum Survey Results Reveal the Educational Impact of ASD Self-Advocates

Posted on May 26, 2016 Updated on May 26, 2016

The University  of Illinois Springfield’s Survey Research Office conducted a survey of forum participants to find out what content and which speakers made the biggest impact at the March 2016 event.  Overwhelmingly, those who attended reported that they gained the most knowledge from self-advocates who spoke at the forum.

Marty Murphy – self-advocate and national public speaker on autism, special education and learning disabilities.

The Alex & Hayden Show. Alex and Hayden are two middle school students with autism. With the assistance of their teacher (far right), Jan Abernethy, they created over 30 episodes of their internet show, where they interview guests, showcase pets and share interesting facts about autism. Seated beside Jan is Hayden Davis, Alex Dudzenski, and Hayden’s mom, Katie Henderson.

The ASD self-advocates who spoke at this year’s forum included (from left to right) Marty Murphy, national public speaker and author; Adria Nassim, consultant, speaker and founder of Adria’s Village; and Alex Dudzenski and Hayden Davis, two middle who, with the help of their teacher, Jan Abernathy, host a YouTube series where they interview guests, showcase pets and share interesting facts about autism.

All presentations from both the 2015 and 2016 Targeting Autism forums can be viewed on the Targeting Autism YouTube channel. 

We are seeking suggestions for speakers at the 2017 Targeting Autism forum.  If  you have ideas, please post a comment to the blog or send an email to Suzanne Schriar