Month: February 2019
Gyasi Burks-Abbott, Librarian & Autism Self-Advocate Shares Insights on Education, Inclusion & Self-Advocacy at 2019 Forum
Gyasi Burks-Abbott is a librarian, writer, public speaker, and self-advocate. In addition to working as a library assistant for the Harvard College Library and a reference librarian at Newbury College, Gyasi has sat on the boards of the Twin Cities Autism Society (St. Paul, MN), the Asperger’s Association of New England (now the Asperger/Autism Network), and the Steering Committee of the Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts. Currently, Gyasi is on the Board of Directors of Autism Housing Pathways, and he is a committee member of the Bedford Cultural Council. He also serves as an advisor to the Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts.
Currently, Gyasi is a fellow with the intensive, multidisciplinary training program, Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders (LEND), at Boston Children’s Hospital. Gyasi will share the knowledge he gained as a LEND fellow and reflect on how it relates to autism and civil rights.
Registration for the Forum is open through April 15th. Send an email here. Include your name, contact information, professional affiliation and a brief statement of what you hope to gain from attending the forum.
Lodging and meals (breakfast and lunch) are provided. Because registration for the forum will probably exceed the number of hotel rooms available, please consider commuting if travel to Dominican University in River Forest, IL, is convenient.
Illinois State Library/Targeting Autism Hosts Free Webinar on Navigating the Transition Years for Individuals with ASD
The number of students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continues to rise. Many students with ASD are now graduating from high school and entering the workforce and higher education classrooms. Come learn about resources available to support the transition and explore strategies to increase success.
Presented by Nikki Michalak, Research Coordinator, ICSP (Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support, Illinois State University)
Having worked in special education for over 13 years, Nikki strives to facilitate success for special education administrators, staff, and students by providing access to information and tools specifically designed to support students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her goal is to understand the needs and challenges of educators working with individuals with ASD and be a relevant resource while empowering staff and students to succeed. Nikki continues to provide professional learning, technical assistance, coaching and consultation to educators, and families of individuals and youth with ASD. She co-created online professional development as well as undergraduate and graduate courses on ASD. Ms. Michalak publishes in the field of ASD and informs local service provision through service on multiple leadership boards.
To attend this important and informative webinar, simply complete the registration form .
Lei Wiley-Mydske Autistic Advocate & Founder of the Ed Wiley Autism Acceptance Lending Library to Speak at 2019 Targeting Autism Forum
Lei Wiley-Mydske is an autistic and otherwise neurodivergent adult and disability rights activist. She is the director of the Ed Wiley Autism Acceptance Library in Stanwood, Washington and the Community Outreach Coordinator for Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network. She is a writer and illustrator currently working on a children’s book about autism acceptance featuring the Neurodivergent Narwhals. Lei has spoken at national conferences and in her local community on neurodiversity, collaborative advocacy, creating safe and accessible spaces for autistic people and using satire and humor as a tool to combat systemic ableism. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her amazing neurodiverse family.
The topic of Lei’s talk will be Supporting the Autistic Community Through Neurodiversity Libraries. Lei will look at and challenge the ways we talk about autism in our society. Who is dominating the conversations about autism and whose voices should be prioritized and centered? She will explore the ideas of neurodiversity, autistic pride and autistic culture and how to create accessible, inclusive, grassroots community based resources that support and uphold those ideas.
Registration for the Forum is open through April 15th. Send an email here. Include your name, contact information, professional affiliation and a brief statement of what you hope to gain from attending the forum.
Lodging and meals (breakfast and lunch) are provided. Because registration for the forum will probably exceed the number of hotel rooms available, please consider commuting if travel to Dominican University in River Forest, IL, is convenient.
Chantal Sicile-Kira Speaking at 2019 Targeting Autism Forum
Chantal Sicile-Kira, internationally known, award-winning author, speaker, autism mom and leader in the field of autism adolescence and transition to adulthood, will be a keynote speaker at the 2019 Targeting Autism Forum.
Chantal has over 25 years of experience as a parent and professional on both sides of the Atlantic. Her books are: Autism Spectrum Disorder; A Full Life with Autism (co-authored with her son Jeremy); What is Autism?; Autism Life Skills; Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum.
In past years, Chantal was appointed by the California Senate Select Committee on Autism & Related Disorders to serve as Co-Chair, South Counties Autism Regional Taskforce, and on the Transitional Services & Supports Taskforce of The California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism. Chantal and her family have been highlighted in Newsweek, on PBS, NPR, MTV, and Fox, Huntington Post and Psychology Today.
Registration to attend the forum is open until April 25th. If you would like to attend or if you have questions send an email here.
Simply include your name, contact information and a brief statement of what you hope to gain from attending the forum.
targetingautismlibs.com 