ASO DIGEST: September 2, 2008

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

Visit ASO's website www.autismohio.org for an "easy to read" version if this does not come through clean on your listserv. Or sign up to receive your own copy by "registering" on the "login" section of ASO's homepage.

News From ASO:

- Participate in ASO's Website Survey

- ODMRDD Releases Drafts of Phase 1 Deliverables from Futures Recommendations - Your input needed!

- ODE-OEC Updating Autism Scholarship Program Rules - Your input needed!

- NOW OPEN! – 2008 NATTAP Conference Registration, Columbus

- Federal Update

Upcoming Events, Resources, etc:

- Panera Bread supports the Dayton Autism Society with a POKER RUN TO FIGHT AUTISM!

- Autism Society of Greater Cleveland September Newsletter

- Bounce for Autism with the Dayton Autism Society!

- ASO Co-President Barb Yavorcik to speak at Autism Summit- Kreative Kids offers Martial Art Program

- Neurologic Music Therapy Seminar, Bowling Green

- Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide For People With Disabilities Seminars, Oxford; Reynoldsburg

- HELP CHART THE FUTURE OF THE ARC

- PAR Convention: Professional training for those who serve people with disabilities, Dublin

- ODMRDD Family Advisory Council September Meeting, Columbus

- Online Training Opportunity

- Autism Society of Michigan Fall 2008 Conference Featuring Dr. Shore

- Autism Biopic - Temple Grandin

- Group helps college students with Autism and Asperger's

- Lend 4 Health Treatment Resource

- National Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee looking for input!

- ASA in Second Life

- News from the ASA:

2009 ASA National Conference to be Held in Chicago, July 22-25, 2009 First International Autism Summit New Memoir of Life with Autism Film Shows Life through Eyes of a Boy with Autism Enabling Devices Spotlights Autism Products "The Bolt Hole" Penagain Presents the Twist 'n Write Pencil

10 Things to Consider As Your Child Starts This School Year New Back-To-School Social Skills Resources September is National Preparedness Month New Documentary on Asperger's and Autism New Workbook for Siblings New Book about Asperger Syndrome and Alcohol New York Organization Offers Social Networking Program for Teens- Milestones Workshops and Seminars, Cleveland

- Updates from ODE-Office for Exceptional Children Operating Standards and Whose IDEA Is This? Brain Injury Association of Ohio Annual Conference Registration Open for 2nd Annual Special Education Leadership Conference September 24-25

- NE Ohio Applebee's Restaurant joins our team to help those with Autism

- NE Ohio Autism Group outing at the Lake County Captains

- DISABILITY VOTE FORUM, Toledo

- From ODE-OEC: 2008 Annual Notice of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

- ASPIES Events, Akron area

- Aspergers' Support Group Meeting, NE Ohio

- Beyond Us - Families of Adults with Aspergers, HFA, & PDD-NOS Upcoming Meetings

If you are interested in participating in research projects, ASO is now posting all research opportunities on our website. For information on available opportunities, visit our webpage www.autismohio.org, click on "Information" along the l eft side of the home page and then click on "Studies/Surveys".

Have you purchased your Ohio Autism Awareness License Plate yet? To purchase yours, visit www.oplates.com and click on "Specialty Plates" or visit our website at www.autismohio.org for more information.Sincerely,The Autism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311( 330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...web: www.autismohio.org Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or implied.

News From ASO:

From ASO: Please Participate in Our Website Survey

Please participate in Autism Society of Ohio website survey!

ASO would like your input to improve our website so that we could provide more accurate, up-to-date, and easy-to-read information related to autism to suit your needs.

You can participate in this online survey by clicking here or cutting and pasting the20following link into your web browser:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=re_2bBjbg_2bl4o8mcHjHPlr_2bg_3d_3d

You can remain anonymous during the survey and your privacy is protected. You may, however, opt to sign up to our email list to receive ASO digest and other alerts, at the end of the survey. Your response to the survey questions will be aggregated and will be used only to improve ASO website and not any other purposes.

The results of the survey will be reflected in our website, and a report will be posted on our website.

Thank you very much for your prompt participation!

ODMRDD Releases Drafts of Phase 1 Deliverables from Futures Recommendations - Your input needed!

Note from ASO: ODMRDD is very interested in your feedback! Please note that these "deliverables" are very much a DRAFT! Additionally, the deliverables should be considered as each representing a part of a whole - a plan to implement some serious system change in Ohio - so please consider each deliverable in the context of the others as well. Nothing presented in the deliverables is cast in stone - so please provide input to ODMRDD. Of special interest to the Ohio autism community:

- Deliverable 2: New Flexible Support Waiver including Intensive Behavioral Needs

- Deliverable 5: Transition Pilot

- Deliverable 8: Waiting Lists

- Deliverable 9: Regional Planning and Networks

ASO Co-President Barb Yavorcik is part of Policy Leadership Roundtable and will be working with ODMRDD as these deliverables are vetted and finalized, so after you have submitted your input to ODMRDD, if you have a very specific concern that you would like emphasized, please share that with Barb at byavorcik@... or askASO@.... The next Policy Leadership Roundtable meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2008, so try to have your input in before then.

From ODMRDD E-Newsletter Pipeline:

Last Wednsday, at the third meeting of the Policy Leadership Roundtable, participants reviewed the first group of ‘deliverables’ (products) related to the 31 recommendations of the MRDD Futures Committee. We took those recommendations, identified who would support that work internally, and defined the sequence in which it would be performed. Today we share the work we have completed to-date in Phase One, which includes 17 deliverables.These deliverables are being presented as drafts for the field to review and provide feedback. We hope you will find the process to be an efficient way of moving forward. We continue to manage all of the Futures efforts as transparently and inclusively as possible, and take fresh approaches to achieve positive outcomes. This includes sharing drafts and works-in-progress. I invite the entire MRDD community to review this work, along with members of the Policy Leadership Roundtable. As you review this work, we hope you will note a number of things:· First, we have remained true to the recommendations given us by the Futures Committee. Our work, most definitely, will lead to the implementation of those recommendations.· Second, these recommendations allow us to progress in accordance with the themes and values we stated as important at the outset: 1. Less complex service delivery, with fair and logical payment systems; 2. Good stewardship of limited resources; 3. Quality outcomes, through a combination of people and processes; 4. Service delivery models designed in response to choices made by the people served, in

alliance with community supports; 5. A system-wide vision developed with stakeholders.· Third, we hope you will note some creativity in this work – ideas or concepts that one might not immediately connect to the Futures recommendations, but that are imbedded in the intent of those recommendations.

I am very pleased at the participation we have seen from staff and stakeholders as the implementation process moves forward, and am encouraged by the role of the Policy Leadership Roundtable, as it supports the work to implement system changes in Phase One, and looks at the challenges ahead in Phase Two. Thanks to each of you who has been a part of Phase One. – For updated information on the 17 deliverables presented today, please visit http://mrdd.ohio.gov/futures/FuturesImplementationInformation.htm on or after August 7, and respond to feedback@... with any comments. We appreciate hearing from you.

ODE-OEC Updating Autism Scholarship Program Rules - Your input needed!

The Ohio Department of Education's Office for Exceptional Children is in the process of updating the Autism Scholarship Program Rules. The current rules (3301-103-01 through 3301-103-08) of the Ohio Administrative Code define how the Department administers the sc holarship program. The rules have been in effect since the beginning of the Autism Scholarship in January 2004.

Rule updating is part of a five-year review plan required by Ohio Law. This requirement gives the department an opportunity to make changes and any necessary clarifications to reflect the current language of the Ohio Revised Code regarding the Autism Scholarship. For example, the original law referred to the program as a pilot program. (The current law changed the name to the Autism Scholarship.) Also, the maximum amount of the scholarship was $15,000 and is currently $20,000 in law. The rules must be updated to reflect these changes.

The process to update the rules is lengthy and requires the input of all interested parties, including such groups as parents, providers, school districts, an d autism-related organizations and interest groups. This is the public’s opportunity to provide feedback to the proposed draft rules that will govern the scholarship program. The Department is seeking and welcomes any input from the public.

The proposed draft rules are listed on the Department of Education’s website under the Autism Scholarship Program section. Any input can be submitted by email to oec_asp@.... U.S. mail is also appropriate.

The rules must be approved by the State Board of Education and the Joint Commission on Agency Rule Review (JACARR), a committee within the General Assembly.

The proposed rules will be reviewed for public comment on:

Date: September 15th, 2008

Time: 10:00 AM/ div> Place: The State Library of Ohio

Directions: http://www.winslo.state.oh.us/publib/libdir.html

Please confirm if you will be attending this session by sending an email to the following link:

oec_asp@...

NOW OPEN! – 2008 NATTAP Conference RegistrationThe Autism Society of America (ASA) and Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) present the 2nd annual international conference on autism training and technical assistance. The objectives of the conference are to review current systems models for addressing the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), promote use of best practice in research and intervention and provide methods for capacity building – all of which contribute to the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for individuals ages 3-21. Join the estimated 1,500-2,000 attendees from across the national and around the globe.NEW for 2008! Pre-Conference Sessions - November 18, 2008Pre-Conference sessions are provided by leaders and recognized experts in the field and provide attendees with a valuable opportunity for in-depth discussion and learning.What: 2008 NATTAP ConferenceWhen: November 19-21, 2008Where: Greater Columbus Convention Center | Columbus, OHRegular Registration (July 1 - September 22, 2008): $250Late Registration (September 23 - October 20, 2008): $300On Site Registration (October 20 - November 21, 2008): $315Parent/Family Member Rate: $100Pre-Conference Session Rate: $100Conference registration and information available at: http://www.nattapconference.org

The Autism Society of Ohio has provided a grant to OCALI reducing the registration rate for parents from last year's $185 to $100 for all three days of the conference! Register NOW!

Federal Update

Senators Kerry and Grassley Introduce Empowered at Home ActSenators Kerry (D-MA) and Grassley (R-IA) introduced theEmpowered at Home Act (S. 3327) on July 24, 2008. The bill has four basicparts. First, it would improve the Medicaid home- and community-basedservices (HCBS) state plan option by giving states more flexibility indetermining eligibility and by increasing the services states can offerunder the program. This is expected to create greater options forindividuals in need of long-term supports. In return, states could no longercap enrollment and services would have to be offered throughout the entirestate. The other three sections would address: spousal impoverishmentprotections for the HCBS option; tax-related provisions to supportcaregivers and promote purchase of private long-term care insurance; andgrants for states to invest in organizations and systems that can help toensure a sufficient supply of workers, promote health and ensure moreconsumer-centered HCBS.(Adapted from the Disability Policy Collaboration's Capitol Insider.)

Upcoming Events, Resources, etc:

Panera Bread supports the Dayton Autism Society with a POKER RUN TO FIGHT AUTISM!Greetings! Tell all your biker friends to make plans to participate in the Panera Bread Poker Run to fight autism on Saturday, August 30, 2008. See the flier below! Registration begins at 9:00 AM. Riders will travel to several local Panera Bread locations collecting poker cards and sampling free food and drinks. The top 3 hands at the end of the ride wins awesome prizes! Visit http://www.panera-ohio.com for more information!

Autism Society of Greater Cleveland September Newsletter

http://asgc.org/newsletters/2008_September-Newsletter.pdf

Bounce for Autism with the Dayton Autism Society!

The Dayton Autism Society, a chapter of the Autism Society of America, the nation's leading grassroots autism organization, and Pump It Up, the nation's largest and fastest-growing franchise of giant indoor inflatable playgrounds for private parties, have joined forces to provide private Sensory Jump Nights for children with sensory issues and their siblings. All children with sensory issues and their siblings are welcome!

The sensory environment at Pump It Up encourages people with autism of all ages to run, jump, laugh, and play in an environment where they feel comfortable and accepted - a rare experience for a child with autism and special needs. To minimize the sensory overload that can occur during regular open play times, the music will either be turned down or off completely. And to maintain a safe environment, the equipment will be double-staffed with trained senior employees who have experience with children who have special needs.

The Sensory Jump Nights will be held at Pump It Up Miamisburg, 685 Precision Ct., Miamisburg, OH 45342.

They will be held the second Monday of each month, beginning Sept. 8 through Dec. 8 with more possibly scheduled if response is good.

Monday, Sept. 8, 2008 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Monday, Oct. 13, 2008 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

The cost to participate is only $7.00 per child, payable at the desk when you arrive or $8.00 pre-booked on the Pump It Up website http://septemberprivatesensory.eventbrite.com/ Pre-booking is HIGHLY recommended as space is limited to 70 participants.

Parents play for free! Parents are required to stay with their child-no drop offs.

Waivers are required to participate and will be available to you when you check in.

Socks are required! If you forget yours, socks are available for purchase at the front desk.

For more information about this or other events, visit the Dayton Autism Society's website at http://www.daytonautismsociety.org.

ASO Co-President Barb Yavorcik to speak at Autism Summit

What is the International Autism Summit?

This event is the first ever International Autism Summit and is being hosted by Autism Today and Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. If you’re a parent, medical professional, educator, speech therapist, or occupational therapist interested in the latest advances in autism & related disorders than this Summit is for YOU!

You’ll hear the latest on leading-edge topics, trends, treatments and therapies surrounding Autism from renowned leaders in the field. Conference participants will leave the Summit with proven, practical strategies, tools that can be used immediately, and a deeper understanding of Autism and Asperger’s.

The first International Autism Summit will be truly extraordinary – it’s a must! Autism Today and Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital have teamed up to produce the Autism Summit in Cleveland, OH taking place October 10 -12, 2008. The Summit will be unlike any other conference you’ve attended – whether you’re a family member, a teen/adult on the spectrum, a doctor or an educator, this conference is for YOU!

The First International Autism Summit

Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

Cleveland Ohio, October 10-12, 2008

For more information visit the website

www.autismsummit.org

Here’s what you’ll find at the world’s first International Autism Summit:

Over 40 world class “superhero†speakers in a highly interactive presentation format

New worldwide resources, information and exhibits

New, unique approaches and solutions to common problems. For example, do you want to learn new ways of working with melt-downs, transitions to adulthood, or peer interactions? Or do you have a “burning question†that you’d like to raise during the conference? You’ll have numerous opportunities to get specific questions discussed & answered by experts!

A special highlight on Autism and the Arts – find out about “Artism†and the special “autie†connection between high performance in the arts, and join us for the premiere music performance of a new group, “Autie Roxâ€!

Do you have/know an autism Superhero? We’ll have a special celebration of the accomplishments of our Superhero children, adults and mentors!

A special conference room where you can personally arrange to meet as Individuals or as a group

You’ll stay at Cleveland’s wonderful premiere hotel, the Renaissance Cleveland and . . .

You’ll enjoy a special surprise Friday evening with 2 music legends – exclusively for Summit attendees!

On Saturday night you can use a special Summit-only discount (select seats guaranteed) to attend the extraordinary A Night At the Rock Opera at Cleveland’s historic Playhouse Square!

More information: www.autismsummit.org

Kreative Kids offers Martial Art Program

We have arranged a fantastic program for our kids. Dayton Academy in HuberHeights is offering to us a special discount price and program just for ourASD children and siblings for gymnastics and tumbling ages 5 & older.

They are also offering martial arts (karate) for everyone ages 6 and upincluding adults, beginner thru black belt. The martial arts program cost$38.00 per month plus a once per year registration fee. The teacher is theSummit Academy martial arts instructor. This program is designed to workwith ASD students.

The website is: http://www.daytongymnastics.com/

Classes start in September.

Neurologic Music Therapy Seminar: Techniques and Strategies for Learning and Rehabilitation Date: September 12, 2008Place: Kobacker Hall in the Musical Arts Building @ Bowling Green State UniversityTime: 9:00 – 4:00 There will be a one hour break for lunch. Lunch is on your own Sponsored by: BGSU, College of Musical Arts Bowling Green City Schools Wood County HospitalSpeaker: Deborah Layman, MM, NMT, MT-BC, is co-founder and co-director of Creating Connections Company, LLC, a center for specialized interventions for children with autism and other neurological disorders. She is a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) with advanced certification in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) and is a member of the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy, Colorado State University. Ms. Layman completed her Bachelor of Music (BM) in Performance (oboe) at Kent State University and her Master in Music (MM) in Music Therapy at the Florida State University. She has extensive experience in working with special needs children of a wide range of ages and diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorders, mitochondrial disorder, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, sensory integration dysfunction, auditory processing disorders, neurological disorders, and pediatric trauma resultant from chronic abuse and attachment disruptions. Ms. Layman is the Chair-Elect of the Continuing Education Committee for the Certification Board for Music Therapists (the national certifying body in music therapy) and is the Internship Chair for the Association of Ohio Music Therapists. She also holds the position of Music Therapy Grant Specialist at Beech Brook, a residential treatment center for abused children in Cleveland, OH. Ms. Layman often presents at conferences for the American Music Therapy Association, the World Congress of Music Therapy, the Child Welfare League of America, and the Great Lakes Region of Music Therapy. She conducts research in the area of pediatric trauma resultant from chronic abuse and attachment disruptions and has published this research in such journals as Psychiatric Times, the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, and Residential Treatment for Children and Youth. Ms. Layman has also co-authored a chapter in Creative Arts Therapies Approaches in Adoption and Care, as well as music therapy intervention manuals for attachment, abuse recovery, and early childhood developmental issues for young pediatric patients. Please send an email confirmation to cescholl6@... or fax your confirmation to: 419-352-3836 co/ Ellen Scholl

“Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide For People With Disabilitiesâ€

You are cordially invited to attend an NFPA seminar on:“Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide For People With Disabilitiesâ€

NFPA has developed a seminar based on the guide which was published on March 2, 2007. It has been downloaded from the NFPA website over 27,000 times thru June 11, 2008. In addition, numerous calls, letters and e-mail have been received from people all over the world requesting more information, asking questions and making suggestions.www.nfpa.org/disabilities

Two seminars will be coming to Ohio which will be sponsoredby the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.These sessions will be held on:

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.(Doors open at 8:30 a.m.)Miami University336 Shriver Center (701 E. Spring Street)Oxford, Ohio 45056www.muohio.eduTo register for the Miami seminar, contact Andy Zeislerat (513) 529-1541 or zeisleja@.... Course Name: EEPG: For People With DisabilitiesCourse Number: 1755-2009-001Cost: No CostPhone: 888-726-7731Fax: 614-752-7111

Thursday, September 18, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.(Doors open at 8:30 a.m.)Ohio Fire Academy, 8895 East Main StreetReynoldsburg, OH 43068www.ohiofireacademy.com

To register for the State Fire Marshal’s seminar,log onto www.ohiofireacademy.com (On-Line Student Registration).Course Name: EEPG: For People With DisabilitiesCourse Number: 1755-2009-001Cost: No CostPhone: 888-726-7731Fax: 614-752-7111

Space is limited at both locations, so please register at your earliest opportunity.Attendees will receive: A copy of the guide; Presentation handouts; Attendance Certificates

HELP CHART THE FUTURE OF THE ARC

We need your help. As you may know, The Arc of the United States' Board of Directors has a Task Force on Affiliation and Growth that is assessing the current status of the organization and mapping out plans for the future. This planning process will only be successful if we have active participation of stakeholders at all levels of the organization. To gather input our consultants have created a confidential online survey. The link to the survey is: http://surveys.gt.com/arc-of-the-us-stakeholder-survey We would like to have the survey completed by as many people as follows. So please help us by doing the following: > Take the survey yourself by clicking on the link. > Forward the link to all of your board members, staff, self-advocates, members, volunteers, donors and colleagues in the field. Encourage them to complete the survey as well. Thank you in advance for your help in making this planning process a success. The Arc - Web Privacy Statement (Privacy Page)

PAR Convention: Professional training for those who serve people with disabilities

PAR is now accepting registrations for the 40th Annual Convention on October 8-10, 2008 at the Embassy Suites in Dublin. Convention information, booklets and group registration forms are available online at www.par-ohio.org and you can register either online, Fax or mail. If you have questions contact Emma at the PAR Office at 419-522-6207. Keynote Speaker Al Condeluci - CEO & Author from UCP of Pittsburgh will join us on Wednesday, October 8, 2008. His topic will be “Why We Do What We Do: Bringing Back the Passion in Our Livesâ€. Al is a popular speaker on inclusion and social capital and is a featured speaker at many national conferences. He always received great reviews. You will leave this session energized and remember “why you do what you doâ€. Session topics include: Autism, habilitation, aging services, mental health, criminal justice, sexual offenders, leadership, positive behavior interventions, communication, recreation, music therapy and many more. This is a great way to get 18 hours of mrdd or social work credit, while learning more about programs and services to people with disabilities. PAR’s 40th celebration will be taking place Thursday evening at “The Depotâ€. Attend this event, meet new colleagues, and enjoy all of the surprised scheduled activities. Other highlights include: a silent auction, a display of art by people with disabilities, vendors and an awards luncheon. We look forward to seeing you in October!

ODMRDD Family Advisory Council September Meeting

Family Advisory Council AgendaSeptember 23, 2008Columbus Developmental Center Training Room

1601 W Broad StColumbus, OH 43222 10:00 a.m. Welcome and updates: 10:15-12:00 Director “Chats†and presentation on the Futures Deliverables 12:00-12:30 Lunch - Provided by the County Board Association 12:30-2:30 Amy Tuell, Benefits Specialist; Dianne Sunderman, Benefits Representative, Hamilton County Board MRDD Presentation on Benefits: How to get the most from Medicaid and Medicare for

your children 2:30-3:00 Wrap Up Please rsvp to Michele Kanode at michele.kanode@... or by phone at 614-644-0265.

Online Training Opportunity August 25, 2009 This announcement is being posted on behalf of Holly on (hharrison@... ), Center for Development & Disability, University of New Mexico. The Center for Development & Disability at the University of New Mexico once again is offering two online training opportunities on Self-Regulation and the SELF Assessment-Intervention Process for Continuing Education Units. The courses will be self-paced but include facilitated non-synchronous discussion activities. For registration information email dgiegerich@.... Part I: What is Self-Regulation: An Introduction to the SELF Process for Infants & Toddlers - October 6, 2008 to November 2, 2008 4 CEUs (SLP/OT/PT/SW) Cost :$60 Part I provides an overview of the complex nature and theoretical foundations of self-regulation. It focuses on the rationale for developing the SELF Assessment-Intervention Process. The course presents current theory and research regarding self-regulation and outlines the four regulation domains that provide the framework for implementing the SELF Process. An overview of the entire process from the Family Interview to Intervention is presented through a case study. Part II: Assessment-Intervention of Self-Regulation for Infants and Toddlers: Application of the SELF Process - November 3, 2008 to December 14, 2008 6 CEUs (SLP/OT/PT/SW) Cost $100 Part I & II: October 13 to December 21, 2008 - 10 CEUs - Cost $150 Part II is divided into six modules that focus on the application of the SELF Process (Interview, Observation, Intervention) using case studies. The emphasis of the course will be on identifying the underlying factors that impact self-regulation and will include the use of the Observation of Self-Regulation Variables (OBSRV) tool. In addition, participants will learn how to use the SELF Strategies Menu to provide information and suggestions to families on changing interaction patterns and styles and adapting environments to help children better regulate their emotions and behavior.

Autism Society of Michigan Fall 2008 Conference Featuring Dr. Shore 10/03/2008 in Novi, MichiganDr. Shore, author and advocate for persons with autism, will be speaking on Friday, October 3, 2008 in Novi. Dr. Shore was diagnosed with "atypical development with strong autistic tendencies," which was followed by strong suggestions from doctors to be institutionalized. Fortunately, his parents and teachers disagreed, and as a result of their persistence and dedication, Dr. Shore earned a Ph.D. and is now a published author. Dr. Shore completed his doctoral degree at Boston University in special education, with a focus on helping those with autism reach their full potential. He is also author of several books including: Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies.Since 1996, Dr. Shore has spoken in eight countries across five continents, giving hundreds of presentations on the autism spectrum. Recently, he spoke at the United Nations Conference on Disaster Relief in Kobe and Yokohama, Japan. In addition, Dr. Shore works internationally with adult autism issues, addressing such topics as education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure. Mark your calendar and plan to attend ASM's Fall Conference in Novi and hear Shore first hand!Contact Nucich at admin@... or call 800-223-6722.Related