2023 Fall Conference and Resource Fair

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Click here to reserve a hotel room at a reduced conference rate. Deadline for reservation is October 5.

Register today for the 2023 Autism Society of Iowa Fall Conference being held on Friday, October 27, 2023, at the Sheraton Hotel- West Des Moines.

Conference Agenda

8:30 a.m. – Registration Open

9:00 a.m. – Welcome

9:05 a.m. – Challenging Behavior in Autism:  Evidence-based Approaches and Recent Research – Matthew O’Brien, PhD, BCBA-D

10:30 a.m. – Break and Resource Fair Opens

10:30 a.m. – Living with Autism – Panel of Adults with Autism Sharing Their Stories Facilitated by Sue Askeland, MA, CCC-SLP

Noon – The Stephen Tsai Award for Excellence in Education

12:05 p.m. – Lunch Provided – Deli Buffet including assorted meats, pulled BBQ pork, cheddar, Swiss and pepper jack cheese, salad greens, deli salad, kettle chips, soup du jour. Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free Meals are Also Available.

12:05 p.m. – Resource Fair Open

Afternoon Breakout Sessions:

1:30 p.m. – Ideas and Examples for Parents and Childcare Workers with Dr. Kelly Pelzel, PhD,  Jan Turbes, MA, Kristin Hansen, MA, BCBA, LBA, and Sue Askeland, MA, CCC-SLP

1. Setting timers and limits
2. Designing play spaces
3. Creating Picture Schedules
4. Writing Social Narratives
5. Toilet Training
6. Other helpful ideas

1:30 p.m.  – Executive Function Skills:  High School and Beyond – Jenny Brodell MA, CCC-SLP

1. Attendees will name 3 broad areas of executive function skills to build in preparation for independent living, job readiness, and/or post-secondary schooling.
2. Attendees will describe 2 practice strategies related to each of the following areas: time management, transportation planning, and budgeting.
3. Attendees will be able to create a plan to self-advocate for needs within a job or post-secondary setting.

1:30 p.m.  – Question Time with the Doctor – Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, M.D.

1. Preparing for an appointment
2. Calming strategies
3. Discussing personal topics
4. Q&A Session

2:15 p.m. – Break and Resource Fair Open

2:30 p.m. – Caring for the Family Member with Profound Autism who Requires 24 Hour Care facilitated by Dr. Todd Kopelman

Panelists:  Josh Cobbs, Rich Hahn, Christina Maulsby, Mary Roberts, Sarah Schrader

2:30 p.m.  – Open

2:30 p.m.  – Understanding the Sensory Needs of Someone with Autism – Danielle Hubby, OTR/L

2:30 p.m. – Networking for Adults with Autism in the Atrium

3:15 p.m. – Conference Concludes

5:30 p.m. – Silent Auction Begins

6:00 p.m. – Live Auction Begins