Conference Overview
STAGES OF AUTISM: ADOLESCENCE & BEYOND
4th BIENNIAL CONFERENCE
April 2nd & April 3rd, 2012 at the Hamilton Convention Centre
Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day With Us
World Autism Awareness Day is April 2nd, 2012. Our two-day conference opens on this day and we are also offering a separate special evening event – a presentation by John Elder Robison, author of “Look Me in the Eye” and “Be Different” on April 2nd at 7:30 pm to further raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can register for both events on-line – see our registration page for details.
Register early at special rates so you don’t miss out on a wonderful opportunity to be a part of a unique conference that will provide open forum discussions and cover a multitude of topics important to adolescents and adults with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The 1st ever Stages of Autism: Adolescence & Beyond Conference in 2006 saw 300 delegates and it has been growing ever since. This is a terrific opportunity to network and share information and experiences with other parents, educators, healthcare practitioners, service providers, individuals with ASD and world renowned specialists in the field of Autism from across Canada and the US. We are once again offering another highly informative and multifaceted conference with a superb line-up of speakers. Topics are timely and those in attendance will take away useful information to enhance their understanding of ASD and positively impact the services they provide.
Remember – early registration at special rates is greatly encouraged!
Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services is presenting the conference, with Autism Ontario as a major sponsor, and it is being held once again at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Woodview is an accredited not-for-profit organization, receiving 100% Accreditation in 2011, and spans across the Hamilton, Brant and Halton regions, providing children’s mental health services and children’s and adult autism services. Autism services include IBI and ABA services, specialized Transition to High School and Transition to Adulthood programs, social and recreational groups, life skills and social skills training for children, teens and adults and a progressive housing and vocational model for adults.
Our premier adult program is Woodview Manor in Hamilton, which began in 1988 as a Supported Independent Living Program for “high-functioning” people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Since that time, the program has evolved and expanded to include a skill teaching residential program, numerous SIL townhouses, support for those living independently in the community, social, recreational and life skills programs, a transition to adulthood program and a specialized vocational program. Our numerous Programs for children and teens in Hamilton provide the potential for seamless service from age 7 into adulthood – truly a valuable and unique service model. This model will be presented in a concurrent session at the conference.
Vocational services and supports have become a major part of Woodview’s adult services in Hamilton. In 1994 we helped our adults with ASD start their own company, Manor Personnel Deployment, Inc. (MPD). Since 2002 the company has grossed over $1 Million, seventy-five per cent of which are wages paid to its workers, people with ASD. To find out more about any Woodview program please go to www.woodview.ca
Conference registration fee includes continental breakfast, breaks and buffet lunch on the day(s) you have registered for.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!
Please visit our Agenda and Speakers page for a more complete list.
The full Conference Program agenda for this event will be availabe soon to download…
