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Autism & Employment Conference – West Des Moines, IA

September 8, 2017 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

$25 – $30

Free to those on the Autism Spectrum

Friday, September 8 – Registration begins at 8:45am

To register online, click here. 

To view a flyer or to register by mail or fax, click here.

 

The Autism Society of Iowa is sponsoring a conference on Autism & Employment. Speakers will include Judith Warth, Jenna Deyo, MS, CCC-SLP, Christine Weiland, MOT, OTR/L, and Scott Lyon, J.D. This conference is for those on the Autism Spectrum interested in employment, family members, employers, job coaches, human resource managers, case managers, social workers and anyone interested in helping those with ASD in the work place.

Conference Agenda

9:00am – 10:15am  What’s Work Got to Do with It?

Laying the Bricks Building the Foundation – the why, what, and how of working.  Presented by Judith Warth

This interactive session will explore why people work, opportunities and strategies that support people with autism in getting and maintaining employment. Looking at current trends, opportunities, experiences, and support strategies, we will talk about the realities of employment for people with autism. This session will prepare you for the Nuts and Bolts Session.

10:30am-11:45am

It’s All About Work! The Nuts and Bolts of Planning for Future Work. Presented by Judith Warth

This will be a hands-on session designed to help people with autism with their support system begin exploring what is important to them about work, career preferences, support needs and strategies. In this session, we will begin the process of doing some career planning using worksheets, interest inventories and discussions about what is important about work. People will be encouraged to put together an action plan to take home and begin to work toward getting a job.

11:45am-12:45pm – Lunch provided

12:45pm – 1:45pm

What Skills Do I Need to Keep a Job? Presented by Jenna Deyo, MS, CCC-SLP and Christine Weiland, MOT, OTR/L

During this session, you will learn what skills are needed to keep a job. Some of these skills include self-care skills, time-management, self-regulation, self-advocacy, executive functioning skills, and social skills. Techniques will be discussed that help individuals with Autism keep jobs.

2:00pm – 3:00pm

Work Accommodations: The How-To Guide for People with Autism  Presented by Scott Lyon, J.D.

Not knowing what, how, when or to whom to request can result in a person with autism never making a request which often leads to firing for something that could have been avoided. Learn how to develop a plan for accommodations.

 

Speaker Information

Judith Warth

Judy Warth combines a BA in Business Administration from the University of Iowa with over 30 years of supporting people with disabilities to meet labor needs of Colorado, Illinois, and Iowa businesses. Her diverse experiences as job coach, behavioral specialist, project director, job developer, board member, consultant and trainer bring a unique brand of insight to issues of employment and people with disabilities. Delivering employment services in rural and urban areas, she has developed partnerships within a variety of industries, including grocers, credit unions/banks, health care organizations, retailers, manufacturers, and major firms such as Civco, Motorola and Ball Aerospace. In addition to supporting businesses, Warth has worked with people with disabilities to dream and speak for themselves and their families to plan and address the issues of entering the workforce. Knowing that all people who desire to work in the community can, if given the proper supports, she is creative and skilled at designing strategies to make that happen for both the worker and employer.

Jenna Deyo, MS, CCC-SLP

Jenna Deyo, MS, CCC-SLP, is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist at ChildServe. Jenna received her Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, degree from Valdosta State University. She is involved with the Autism Intensive Program, Life Skills Clinic, and the Life Skills program. Jenna has experience working with clients in an individual and group setting which focuses on increasing their understanding and use of Social Communication Skills, Self-Advocacy Skills, and Executive Functioning Skills. Jenna has experience implementing instructional strategies for these life skills and competencies needed to transition into the work force Christine Weiland, MOT, OTR/L Christine Weiland, MOT, OTR/L, is an Occupational Therapist at ChildServe. Christine received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree in Occupational Therapy from St. Ambrose University. She is involved with the Autism Intensive Program, Life Skills Clinic, and the Life Skills program. She has experience working with clients in an individual and group setting focusing on ADLs, IADLs, sensory regulation, work, leisure, and social skills. Christine has experience creating functional routines that are used in the Life Skills Curriculum. Christine is the Lead Therapist for the Life Skills Program, where she has been instrumental in the development and education of the Life Skills program over the last five years at ChildServe.

Scott Lyon, J.D.

Scott Lyon is an attorney for Disability Rights Iowa focusing on employment law, guardianship, conservatorship, and substitute decision making issues, ADA compliance, and Medicaid benefits. Scott is a graduate of the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa College of Law, and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

 

Continuing Education Units

The Autism Society of Iowa is an accredited sponsor for CEU’s for Social Work #300. This conference offers 4.5 credit hours. Certificates of Attendance will be provided for CEU’s.

 

 

 

 

Details

Date:
September 8, 2017
Time:
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost:
$25 – $30
Event Categories:
,

Organizer

Kris Steinmetz
Phone:
(515) 327-9075
Email:
autism50ia@aol.com
Website:
www.autismia.org

Venue

Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel
1800 50th St
West Des Moines, 50266 United States
+ Google Map
Phone:
(515) 223-1800
Website:
www.sheraton.com/DesMoines‎