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.
John Elder Robison Scheduled to Speak at the 2019 Targeting Autism Forum
Being Different Turning Childhood Disabilities into Adult Gifts
John Elder Robison will describe how the differences of autism and ADHD can disable us as children even as they confer powerful competitive advantages upon us as adults. Though poignant examples from his own life, Robison will show how traits that crippled him as a child actually facilitated some of his greatest accomplishments as an adult. He will share a new way to look at disability, difference, and giftedness, offering a different paradigm for educators, parents, and neurodiverse people. Anyone who is personally affected by autism, Asperger’s, or ADHD will find this talk illuminating and inspiring.
Registration for the Forum is open – now 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.
As in past years, lodging and meals are provided. (Since rooms are limited in number, however, if you live in close proximity and can easily travel to Dominican University, please consider commuting to the event.)
2019 Targeting Autism Forum
The 2019 Targeting Autism Forum will be held on May 16 & 17 in Parmer Hall at Dominican University, River Forest, IL.
We hope that you enjoy the new venue and that holding the forum in the Chicagoland area will be more convenient for many of you. Watch for additional details in the coming weeks.
We look forward to seeing you in May!
Disabilities Services & Programs: a short public library survey
On behalf of the Targeting Autism Initiative, the Illinois State Library is querying public libraries to learn about programs and services that increase engagement among residents with physical and/or developmental disabilities. We would like to share your input with the wider library community in hopes that your experiences will be valuable and instructive to other librarians.
Please complete (or forward to the appropriate person) the short survey at the link provided here.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Internationally Known Autism Advocate and Author Supports Targeting Autism Project
Autism Consultant; Author, “Asperger’s From the Inside-Out,” “Unemployed on the Autism Spectrum,” and the column, “Autism Without Fear.”
Former Executive Director of GRASP (Founder), and Integrate
I am writing to express my appreciation and support for the fabulous work being done by the Illinois Office of the Secretary of State and State Librarian, Jesse White; and the Illinois State Library’s Targeting Autism Project. For the past four years, the Illinois State Library has made great strides in helping librarians throughout Illinois and the nation to understand and better serve the needs of the large population of individuals with autism.
As an internationally known consultant, author, speaker and autistic self-advocate, I am passionately committed to helping improve the daily lives of people with autism. My devotion to this cause led me to become the Founder and first Executive Director of GRASP, the largest membership organization in the world comprised of adults on the autism spectrum. I am also a lifelong library user and I can attest to the cultural value of libraries in improving the quality of life within our communities. Clearly, the Targeting Autism project through ongoing training, consultation and various programming initiatives is playing an important role in improving the quality of life for patrons and families impacted by autism. In a prior career as a minor-league diplomat, I heard Queen Noor of Jordan accurately describe internet access as the best measuring stick of poverty we had. I agreed, and starting then, libraries, for me, took on new meaning.
I first became aware of the Targeting Autism Project last year, when I was asked to keynote their 2017 National Forum. I soon learned that Illinois was unique in providing a national platform for engaging community stakeholders with librarians, for the purpose of increasing the role of libraries as resource centers for individuals and families impacted by autism. The outcomes of the annual forums and other educational initiatives coming out of the Targeting Autism project have been both plentiful and valuable. Some of these outcomes have been evidenced by the proliferation of environmental changes made within Illinois library facilities to accommodate the sensory needs of patrons on the autism spectrum. In addition, many libraries have learned how to collaborate with community stakeholders to add resources and programming relevant to this growing population. Finally, many Illinois libraries are making a concerted effort to offer jobs and internships to autistic applicants. Overall, Targeting Autism offers a valuable model for developing inclusive libraries throughout and beyond Illinois. And finally, when one considers its size, Targeting Autism’s relative achievements loom large. I’ve worked closely with the Brooklyn, NY library (and especially their heroic Inclusion Manager, Carrie Banks) and your state’s programs…more than “hold up.”
Kudos to the Illinois Secretary of State and the Illinois State Library for support of the Targeting Autism initiative. The need to continue this effort, however, is ongoing. Social stigma and a lack of knowledge about autism remains a pervasive challenge. The dumb-dumbs are still out there (and often vocal). The development and continuation of programs such as Targeting Autism will elevate libraries to play a leadership role in promoting acceptance and inclusion throughout our neurodiverse society.
targetingautismlibs.com 