The day-long conference will take place Wednesday, April 27, at the DeVos Center on Grand Valley's downtown Pew Campus. This year's theme, "Looking ahead for students with autism" will encompass a broad range of subjects including transition, sexuality, social skills and strategies.
"It's important for professionals in education and health care, as well as families and friends of individuals with autism to come together and share information," said Amy Matthews, director of Grand Valley's Autism Education Center. "We need to look ahead and assess the needs of children and adults living with autism. Grand Valley is Michigan's lead university in the education of autism, serving thousands of teachers and parents each year.
Keynote speaker Peter F. Gerhardt is the author of various articles and book chapters on the needs of adults with autism, the school-to-work transition process, and analysis/intervention of problematic behavior. His private practice is based in Baltimore, Maryland, where he currently serves on numerous professional advisory boards, and is the chairperson for the Organization for Autism Research (OAR). Gerhardt will be addressing an overview of current conceptualizations of transition planning, with an emphasis on transition planning for competent adulthood.
Jacquelyn Thompson with the Michigan Department of Education will give an update on autism from the state's perspective. Thompson is an avid supporter of high quality services that enhance the potential of students with autism and their families. She will speak on "Meeting Standards for Student Performance: STARTing the Climb!"
