BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Autism Society of Iowa - ECPv6.10.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://autismia.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Autism Society of Iowa REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20220313T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20221106T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20200101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220420T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220420T130000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20220330T183816Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220330T183816Z UID:4435-1650456000-1650459600@autismia.com SUMMARY:"Medicaid Waivers" Informational Lunch and Learn DESCRIPTION:Click here to register. \nRegister today for the “Medicaid Waivers” Informational Lunch and Learn being held on Wednesday\, April 20\, via Zoom. \nPresenters: Gaye Johnson – Director of Access and Care Coordination for ChildServe and Lacey Giunta – Case Management Supervisor for ChildServe \n  URL:https://autismia.com/event/medicaid-waivers-informational-lunch-and-learn/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220413T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220413T130000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20220330T183535Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220330T183535Z UID:4433-1649851200-1649854800@autismia.com SUMMARY:"Transitioning to Middle and High School for the Student with Autism" Lunch and Learn DESCRIPTION:Click here to register. \nRegister today for the “Transitioning to Middle and High School for the Student with Autism” Lunch and Learn being held on Wednesday\, April 13\, via Zoom. \nPresenter: Johnna Davis\, Heartland AEA Family and Educator Partnership URL:https://autismia.com/event/transitioning-to-middle-and-high-school-for-the-student-with-autism-lunch-and-learn/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220410T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220410T190000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20220330T164019Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220330T164111Z UID:4420-1649592000-1649617200@autismia.com SUMMARY:2022 Autism Pool Tournament DESCRIPTION:Register today for the 2022 Autism Pool Tournament at The Ridgemont in Windsor Heights! For more information and to register\, click here. All proceeds benefit ASI. \n  URL:https://autismia.com/event/2022-autism-pool-tournament/ LOCATION:The Ridgemont\, 7460 Hickman Road\, Windsor Heights\, IA\, 50324\, United States CATEGORIES:Fundraiser END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220406T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220406T130000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20220330T183207Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220331T171255Z UID:4429-1649246400-1649250000@autismia.com SUMMARY:"Crisis Intervention with a Family Member with Autism" Lunch and Learn DESCRIPTION:Click here to register. \nRegister today for the “Crisis Intervention with a Family Member with Autism” Lunch and Learn being held on Wednesday\, April 6\, via Zoom. \nPresenters Christina Maulsby (parent) and Jodi Tate\, M.D. (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics) will discuss: \n\nWhat to expect from inpatient units\nWhat are the processes to receive medical assistance?\n\nOfficer Lorna Garcia from the Des Moines Police Department will speak on: \n\nThe process of calling 911\nHow DMPD can respond\nThe Broadlawns Mobile Crisis Response Team\nProgram to add individuals with special needs into the DMPD database in case of wandering URL:https://autismia.com/event/crisis-intervention-with-a-family-member-with-autism-lunch-and-learn/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220405T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220405T193000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20220228T203106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220228T203106Z UID:4411-1649183400-1649187000@autismia.com SUMMARY:"How to Prepare for College When You Have Autism" Informational Zoom DESCRIPTION:Click here to register. \nRegister today for “How to Prepare for College When You Have Autism” facilitated by Jenny Brodell\, M.A.\, CCC-SLP. This informational Zoom will be held on Tuesday\, April 5th\, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. \n\nThis Zoom will address:\n\n *  A checklist for skills to learn before starting classes   *  Strategies for time management   *  Transportation and navigating campus  *  What information should you share with your instructors?    *  Budgeting  *  How to connect to student disability services and what accommodations to consider URL:https://autismia.com/event/how-to-prepare-for-college-when-you-have-autism-informational-zoom/ CATEGORIES:Education,Post-secondary education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220324T171500 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220324T203000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20220228T195658Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220228T195658Z UID:4406-1648142100-1648153800@autismia.com SUMMARY:"In a Different Key" Movie Screening DESCRIPTION:Click here to register. \n \nRegister today for an exclusive preview screening of “In a Different Key”- the award-winning documentary by Caren Zucker and John Donvan. Masks are required at Prairie Meadows and movie is not intended for those under age 14. URL:https://autismia.com/event/in-a-different-key-movie-screening/ LOCATION:Prairie Meadows Events & Conference Center\, 1 1 Prairie Meadows Drive\, Altoona\, IA\, 50009\, United States CATEGORIES:Awareness Event,Outdoor/Recreation END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220304T081500 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220304T153000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20220111T194626Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220126T194544Z UID:4366-1646381700-1646407800@autismia.com SUMMARY:Adults with Autism: Diagnosis and Supports Virtual Conference via Zoom DESCRIPTION:The Adults with Autism: Diagnosis and Supports conference will be held virtually via Zoom on Friday\, March 4. \nTo register\, click here. \n8:15 a.m. – Introductions and Welcome – Todd Kopelman\, Ph.D. \n8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.- Equitable diagnosis for autism in adolescence and adulthood: Learning from sex\, gender\, and social developmental perspectives Presented by Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai\, MD\, Ph.D. \nLearning Objectives: \n\nUnderstanding the latest research discoveries about the impact of sex and gender on the recognition and diagnosis of autism\nReflecting on social developmental issues pertaining to new autism diagnosis in adolescence and adulthood\nReflecting on clinical considerations to improve the assessment and care for autistic youth and adults\n\n10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – Break \n10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – ASD Adult Panel with Dr. Todd Kopelman: What Happens Now That I Have This Diagnosis and What Does it Mean? Presented by Todd Kopelman\, Ph.D.\, Abby Niederhauser\, Marie Ugorek\, Joel Wesselink \n12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch Break \n1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Introduction to Social Strategies: Building and Maintaining Friendships and Relationships Presented by Paige Burden\, MA\, CCC-SLP and Audrey Wood MA\, CCC-SLP \nThis session will provide: \n\nAn introduction to some common strategies for making and keeping meaningful friendships and romantic relationships.\nPresenters will review available interventions and resources for those interested in further building social skills.\n\n2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Break \n2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Common Psychiatric Concerns and Medication Management Presented by Aaron Kauer\, M.D. \nLearning Objectives: \n\nIncrease knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses that may co-present with Autism Spectrum Disorder\nIncrease awareness of psychiatric medications that may be prescribed for co-presenting diagnoses\n\n3:30 p.m. – Closing Remarks \n  \nThis conference is for autistic adults\, family members\, therapists\, social workers\, physician assistants\, speech language pathologists\, mental health providers\, case managers\, psychiatrists\, psychologists\, ARNP’s\, and others who are interested. \n  \nKeynote Speaker \nDr. Meng-Chuan Lai\, M.D.\, Ph.D. \nDr. Meng-Chuan Lai is a psychiatrist and clinician-scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Hospital for Sick Children\, Toronto. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry\, and Graduate Faculty at the Institute of Medical Science and Department of Psychology\, University of Toronto. He is an Honorary Visiting Fellow at the Department of Psychiatry\, University of Cambridge\, and an Adjunct Attending Psychiatrist at the National Taiwan University Hospital. He is an Editor of the journal Autism. As a Canadian Institute of Health Research Sex and Gender Science Chair\, Dr. Lai’s work focuses on how sex- and gender-related factors act as modulating mechanisms for the presentation and adaptation\, clinical recognition\, neurobiology\, and etiologies of neurodevelopmental and co-occurring mental health conditions across the lifespan. \n  \nSpeakers \nPaige Burden\, MA\, CCC-SLP \nMs. Burden is a Speech Language Pathologist at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital Center for Disabilities and Development.  She specializes in working with children and young adults with complex communication and social needs\, such as autism and speech and language disorders. She is a PEERS certified provider for both adolescents and young adults. She is also trained in Project ImPACT therapy. \nAaron Kauer\, M.D. \nDr. Kauer is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and spends his time providing care for patients in the outpatient Child and Adolescent Clinic as well as inpatient staffing. Additionally he serves in the role as a Co-Medical Director of the Child Outpatient clinic. He has specific interests in Autism Spectrum Disorders\, Tic Disorders and Anxiety Disorders. He also spends time educating medical students and residents at UIHC. He completed his MD at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and residencies at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is board certified in both child and adult psychiatry. \nAudrey Wood MA\, CCC-SLP \nMs. Wood is a Speech Language Pathologist at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital Center for Disabilities and Development.  She specializes in working with children and adults with a variety of communication needs including autism\, speech and language disorders\, and augmentative and alternative communication. She is a PEERS certified provider for young adults. \n  \nPanelists \nBrian Johnson \nAfter years of uncertainly\, Brian Johnson was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome as a sophomore in high school.  Since his diagnosis\, he has been a member of the Siouxland Autism Support Group in Sioux City\, Iowa.  In 2004\,he graduated from Lawton-Bronson High School in Lawton\, Iowa as valedictorian of his class.  In 2008\, he graduated summa cum laude from Morningside College in Sioux City\, Iowa\, earning a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications.  He currently lives in Bronson\, Iowa and works in Moville as a copy editor for a regional newspaper called The Record.   Since graduation\, Brian has presented his story to numerous groups of parents\, teachers\, paraprofessionals\, college students and others who are working with and learning about people with autism.  For the past several years\, he has also been involved in an organization called “The Human Library.”  This past spring\, he joined the Autism Society of Iowa as a board member. \nTodd Kopelman\, Ph.D.\, BCBA-D \nDr. Todd Kopelman is a licensed psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst. He is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. His primary clinical interests are the assessment of autism in children and adults and the evaluation and treatment of challenging behaviors in children and adults with developmental disabilities. Dr. Kopelman is the co-director of the UIHC Autism Center\, has served as the coordinator for 3 federal research studies evaluating the use of telehealth to coach parents to evaluate and treat severe challenging behaviors displayed by their young children with autism\, and co-teaches a graduate seminar on autism spectrum disorders. He has served as a board member on the Autism Society of Iowa since 2010. \nAbby Niederhauser \nAbby Niederhauser is a 34 year old autistic adult who was diagnosed at age 18. She is an artist and paints bright and colorful pop art. She enjoys advocating for herself and others affected by Autism. She also speaks on LGBTQ+ topics. \nMarie Ugorek \nMarie C Ugorek is an autistic ADHDer with hEDS and an assortment of secondary mental illnesses. In the 2.5 years since she sought professional diagnosis of her neurodivergence\, Marie has been fortunate to be able to focus full-time on reprocessing four decades of life with the goal of growing into a healthy\, unapologetically neurodivergent identity. She is supported in this by her husband\, dogs\, and cat\, who live with her in Cedar Rapids\, Iowa. \nJoey Wesselink \nJoey Wesselink is an autism self-advocate in the state of Iowa. He was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum when he was 25 years of age while beginning his Bachelor of Arts program at The University of Iowa. He is currently the Administrative Assistant at Access 2 Independence\, which is one of the six centers for independent living in the state of Iowa. He lives in Iowa City and enjoys reading\, writing\, playing video games\, being outside\, working out\, watching sports\, or pro wrestling with friends and trivia nights. He was a part of the LEND training program in 2019-2020 as a self-advocate trainee. He graduated from the LEND program in May of 2020. Joey is also on the Autism Society of Iowa Board and is a member of the group #UpgardeMedicaid. Joey graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism in 2013. Starting in February of this year\, he will attend Mount Mercy University to take some courses in business and then transfer to the University of Iowa and complete the Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy program. URL:https://autismia.com/event/adults-and-adolescents-with-autism-diagnosis-and-supports-virtual-conference-via-zoom/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220120T110000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220120T123000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210526T222828Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220118T194002Z UID:4099-1642676400-1642681800@autismia.com SUMMARY:2022 Autism Advocacy and Acceptance Virtual Day on the Hill DESCRIPTION:Click here to register! \n  \nDue to COVID-19 restrictions and for the safety of our members\, attendees\, and staff\, the 12th Annual Autism Advocacy and Acceptance Day will be held virtually via Zoom on Thursday\, January 20\, from 11 am – 12:30 pm. This will replace our annual Day on the Hill event at the Iowa State Capitol. URL:https://autismia.com/event/2022-autism-society-of-iowa-day-on-the-hill/ CATEGORIES:Advocacy END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20211105T090000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20211105T160000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210721T135204Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210928T152142Z UID:4132-1636102800-1636128000@autismia.com SUMMARY:Autism Society of Iowa Resource Fair Exhibitor and Conference Sponsorship DESCRIPTION:To register to be an exhibitor or a sponsor\, click here. \n\n \nAutism Society of Iowa is offering registration for service providers to participate in our Virtual Information and Resource Fair\, which will be held during our virtual annual conference on Friday\, November 5\, 2021. The exhibitor and sponsorship levels are below.\n\n \n$75- Virtual Exhibitor Benefits:\n\nLogo and link to your website on all conference marketing materials and on our website and newsletter.\nAcknowledgement through social media prior to the conference.\nOne free complimentary registration to the conference.\nUploaded resources to Virtual Resource Fair Google Doc.\n\n\n$500- Sponsorship Benefits:\n\nReceive all Virtual Exhibitor Benefits.\nFeature article in newsletter.\n\nOpportunity to speak about your agency and services to registrants during lunch break.\nOpportunity to have your information recorded and sent out to participants after the conference. URL:https://autismia.com/event/autism-society-of-iowa-resource-fair-exhibitor-and-conference-sponsorship/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20211105T090000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20211105T160000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210526T222536Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211101T222611Z UID:4096-1636102800-1636128000@autismia.com SUMMARY:2021 Autism Society of Iowa Fall Conference DESCRIPTION:2021 Autism Society of Iowa Fall Educational Conference\nVirtual via Zoom \n\n\nFeaturing Keynote Speaker Mikle South\, Ph.D\nTo register\, click here.\n\n  \nAutism Society of Iowa 2021 Fall Conference \n9:00 a.m. – Introductions \n9:00 – 10:15 a.m. –”New things\, new people\, new places: looking for the origins of anxiety in autism.” presented by Mikle South\, Ph.D. \n10:15 a.m. – Break \n10:30 – 11:45 a.m. – Autism Panel – Panel of Adults with Autism Share Their Stories \n11:45 – 12:30 a.m. – Lunch Break and Information from Conference Sponsors \n12:30 – 1:30 p.m. \n\nDating and Maintaining Healthy Relationships presented by Dave Hamlin and Lindsay Nebeker\nAutism and Feeding Issues presented by Linda Cooper\, Ph.D.\n\n1:30 p.m.  – Break \n1:45 – 2:45 p.m. \n\n“Can’t even see the sun: depression and risk for suicide in autism” presented by Mikle South\, Ph.D.\nCommunication for All – AAC Devices presented by Patty Kann\, SLP\n\n2:45 p.m. – Break \n3:00 – 4:00 p.m.          \n\nSelf-Regulation: An Individualize Journey presented by Liz Delsandro\, M.S.\, CCC-SLP\n\nObjectives: \n1) To explore strategies for self-regulation. \n2) To consider tenets of trauma-informed care when working on self-regulation. \n3) To recognize the importance of collaboration or teaming when developing an individualized plan for self-regulation. \n4) To identify environmental considerations/structure that can promote regulation of emotions. \n\nHow Exceptional Ability Influences the Autistic Student – Twice Exceptional presented by Jake Michaelson\, Ph.D. and Susan Assouline\, Ph.D. and New Autism Academy at the University of Iowa for Autistic College Students with Amanda Berns\, Ph.D.\n\n  \nConference Speakers \nSusan Assouline. Ph.D. \nSusan G. Assouline is the director of the Belin-Blank Center\, holds the Myron and Jacqueline N. Blank Endowed Chair in Gifted Education\, and is a professor of school psychology.  Prior to joining the University of Iowa\, she completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship with the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth (SMPY) at Johns Hopkins University.  This experience was the impetus for investigations and programming related to academic talent in elementary students and academic acceleration as an intervention for advanced students.  Throughout her career\, she has been especially interested in the psychological principle of individual differences\, which serves as a platform for the Belin-Blank Center’s research in the area of twice-exceptionality (highly able students with learning disabilities or social impairment).  She received the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) 2016 Distinguished Scholar Award\, the 2018 University of Iowa Award for Faculty Excellence\, and the 2019 University of Iowa Leadership in Research Award. \nAmanda Berns\, Ph.D. \nDr. Amanda Berns is a Licensed Psychologist at the Belin-Blank Center’s Assessment and Counseling Clinic and team member for the Academy of Twice Exceptionality\, in the College of Education at the University of Iowa.  She attended the University of Iowa while obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Psychology\, Education Specialist\, and Doctor of Philosophy in School Psychology\, and where she gained experiences working in schools\, outpatient clinics at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics\, the local homeless shelter\, and in children’s homes through the Early Access Autism Resources Team at Grant Wood Area Education Agency.  She also completed an iLEND fellowship and externships at Nisonger Center and St. David’s Center\, and she held an assistantship providing mentorship to talented and gifted college students at Belin Blank Center\, as well.  Dr. Berns attended a predoctoral internship at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health and a postdoctoral fellowship at The Counseling Center of Nashua.  She also worked in the public schools as a traveling school psychologist and Autism Consultant\, as well as in outpatient settings at Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP).  In addition to having a wealth of clinical experience across these settings\, Dr. Berns has particular expertise in assessment and intervention services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)\, and research background in social-emotional experiences of those who are twice exceptional\, with high cognitive abilities and ASD\, in particular.  She is grateful to support individuals who have unique gifts and challenges at the Belin-Blank Center’s Assessment and Counseling Clinic and as a team member for the Academy of Twice Exceptionality. \nLinda Cooper-Brown \nLinda Cooper-Brown has provided clinical services for 29 years for children with feeding difficulties who have not learned to eat\, and children who have oral aversion or severe picky eating\, with and without diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder. This includes evaluation as part of a multidisciplinary clinic and therapy. She has presented at regional and national meetings on feeding and eating challenges and\nhas written and contributed to research articles on feeding issues and to book chapters\, with her most recent being\, Cooper-Brown\, L. J.\, Kerwin\, M. L\, Williams\, K. E.\, (2019). Feeding. In Hupp\, S. (Ed). Pseudoscience in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy: A Skeptical Field Guide (pp. 189-205). New York: Cambridge University Press.  Dr. Cooper-Brown joined the faculty at the University of Iowa in 2008 and received her PhD in School Psychology in 1991.  She is a clinical professor of Pediatrics\, Clinical Psychology Director Division of Developmental and behavioral Pediatrics at the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics at the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. \nElizabeth Delsandro\, M.S.\, CCC-SLP \nElizabeth (Liz) Delsandro is a speech-language pathologist and clinical associate professor with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has had the privilege of partnering with individuals who are neurodiverse and their families for more than 30 years. \nDavid Hamrick \nDavid Hamrick is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service who is an active advocate for individuals with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.  Diagnosed with autism at the age of three\, he explains to parents\, educators\, and professionals about how autism has personally influenced him and offers advice about best practices when dealing with those who have autism and how to make life better for them.  In addition to general life topics\, he also lectures on dating and romance\, special interests\, sleep issues\, education\, and employment.  David’s wife\, Lindsey\, also has autism and they have been in a successful relationship since 2005. \nPatty Kann \nPatty Kann\, M.A.\, CCC- SLP\, received her undergraduate degree and M.A. from the University of South Dakota in Speech Language Pathology in 1996 and 1998 respectively. She has worked in the medical setting in Long Term Care\, Inpatient\, NICU\, Outpatient\, and in school settings. Patty has completed extensive continuing education in Childhood Apraxia of Speech\, Complex Communication Needs\, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She was on the Nebraska Educational Service Unit #1 Autism team for 10 years. She currently works for the Northwest Area Education Agency in Sioux City\, Iowa where she has been a member of the Autism team\, the Assistive Technology team lead\, and is currently serving in the role of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Best Practice Coach. Patty is a member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association. \nJacob Michaelson \nDr. Jake Michaelson is a Roy J. Carver associate professor in psychiatry and neuroscience and the division director of computational and molecular psychiatry at the University of Iowa. His lab uses advanced computational approaches to study the effect of genetic variations on the development of the brain\, with specific applications in autism and language impairment. He earned his B.S. and M.S. in biological engineering at Utah State University before earning his PhD in computational biology at the Technische Universitat Dresden in Germany in 2010. After his time in Germany\, he joined the lab of psychiatric geneticist Jonathan Sebat at UC San Diego\, where he completed his postdoctoral training and published several of the earliest papers dealing with whole genome sequencing in autism. In 2013 he joined the faculty at the University of Iowa\, and his current research is supported by NIMH\, NIDCD\, the Simons Foundation\, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. \nLindsey Nebeker \nLindsey Nebeker is a Development Specialist at the Autism Society of America and remains actively involved in music\, photography\, and freelance presenting. She was born in Tokyo\, Japan\, and spent the first eleven years of her life residing there with her family. She received her autism diagnosis at age 2 from the UCLA Department of Psychiatry during a visit to the United States. Lindsey is also a sibling of an autistic adult with high-support needs\, and she is strongly focused on the message of presuming competence for all people regardless of their labels. She has served on several boards and advisory panels for organizations including the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network and Felicity House\, and she Is a current member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Technology (minor in Photography) and holds a certificate for the Partners in Policymaking Advocacy Leadership Training Program. Lindsey has appeared in Glamour\, Good Morning America\, NPR\, and the Emmy-nominated documentary Autism in Love. When she is not reporting to her full-time job positions\, you can find her engaged in her passions of traveling\, Japanese culture\, documenting her life through photography\, and composing pieces on her 1909 Steinway. \nMikle South\, Ph.D. \nMikle South is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Emory Autism Center at Emory University in Atlanta\, which provides clinical service and research focused on inclusion for individuals\, families\, and communities throughout the lifespan. He received a BA from Yale University followed by a PhD in Child Clinical Psychology at the University of Utah\, working with Dr. Sally Ozonoff. He returned to Yale for postdoctoral training in developmental neuroimaging then spent 14 years in the Psychology Department at Brigham Young University. His research program is focused on understanding the interaction of anxiety and autism in brain and behavior\, and recent studies of sleep in autism and risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. Dr. South’s professional practice specializes in assessment and diagnosis of autism with a special interest in how autism presents in girls and women. He loves playing soccer and eating proper pizza. \n  \nPanelists \nLeo Bird \nLeo Bird was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. Unlike some other people with autism\, he overcame bullying and alienation as an eighth grader and had a more supportive group of classmates. He also has had a more successful job search than others. Leo was inspired to write about his life in an interview for an internship for people with disabilities in college when the recruiter said he could educate people about autism. Leo thought he could do that by using the true storytelling techniques he learned in his Writing Short Stories class. After sharing his stories he learned neurotypicals face some of the same challenges he does. He prefers people first language over identity first language and prefers high and low support needs over high and low functioning autism.  Leo lives in downtown Des Moines and works at the United States Post Office. \nRachel Bussan \nRachel Bussan works full-time as a Collection Services Specialist at West Des Moines Public Library. Providing equitable access to information is Rachel’s passion. Skilled at sifting through large amounts of data\, discerning patterns\, and finding lost things. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and Bipolar 1 disorder at age 26\, Rachel is a firm advocate for disability rights. Creative and geeky to the extreme. A fan of anime and steampunk. Rachel loves making costumes and will try any crafting activity at least once. \nBrian Johnson \nAfter years of uncertainly\, Brian Johnson was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome as a sophomore in high school.  Since his diagnosis\, he has been a member of the Siouxland Autism Support Group in Sioux City\, Iowa.  In 2004\,he graduated from Lawton-Bronson High School in Lawton\, Iowa as valedictorian of his class.  In 2008\, he graduated summa cum laude from Morningside College in Sioux City\, Iowa\, earning a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications.  He currently lives in Bronson\, Iowa and works in Moville as a copy editor for a regional newspaper called The Record.   Since graduation\, Brian has presented his story to numerous groups of parents\, teachers\, paraprofessionals\, college students and others who are working with and learning about people with autism.  For the past several years\, he has also been involved in an organization called “The Human Library.”  This past spring\, he joined the Autism Society of Iowa as a board member. \nAbby Niederhauser \nAbby Niederhauser is an autistic adult who was diagnosed at age 18. She is an artist and loves to paint and draw her favorite pop culture subjects and participate in local art shows. Abby also enjoys collecting vintage toys and video games\, puzzles\, filmmaking and editing videos\, advocacy work\, and driving around in her hand painted van. Abby documents her art and hobbies on social media as Abby’s Rad Art. \nMarie Ugorek \nMarie C Ugorek is an autistic ADHDer with hEDS and an assortment of secondary mental illnesses. In the two years since she sought professional diagnosis of her neurodivergence\, Marie has been fortunate to be able to focus full-time on reprocessing four decades of life with the goal of growing into a healthy\, unapologetically neurodivergent identity. She is supported in this by her husband\, dogs\, and cat\, who live with her in Cedar Rapids\, Iowa. \nAlex Wehrspann \nAlex is an Associate engineer for Rite-Hite Environmental Enclosures division\, as well as a consulting engineer for Badger Airbrush and Fluid exchange solutions (FXS) through his company Wolfmann Designs LLC. and resides in Dubuque. His hobbies include tinkering\, building stuff\, and restoring antiques. He was diagnosed at 18 years old and has been a self-advocate since then. \n  \n\nCEU’s \nThe Autism Society of Iowa is an accredited sponsor for CEU’s for Social Work #300 and Speech Language Pathology #191.  This conference offers 6.0 credit hours of SLP CEU’s and 6.0 credit hours of SW CEU’s. \n\n\nAdditional Sessions \nAdditional pre-recorded sessions will be offered for those who register\, including: \n\nWhat Does Research Show About Sleep and Autism– Jacob Michaelson\, Ph.D.\nStrategies and Resources to Support Learning at Home– Sue Askeland\nSocial Emotional Learning – Leslie Rogers\, SLP & Kirsten Smith\, SLP\n\n\n  \nThank you to our 2021 sponsors!\n \n \n \n \n \n \nThank you to our 2021 exhibitors!\nClick here to view exhibitor folder URL:https://autismia.com/event/2021-autism-society-of-iowa-fall-conference/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20211104 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20211106 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210710T191400Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211030T004505Z UID:4124-1635984000-1636156799@autismia.com SUMMARY:2021 Fall Online Benefit Auction DESCRIPTION:To view auction items and register to bid\, click here.\n\nThe 33rd annual Autism Society of Iowa Online Benefit Auction will be held Thursday\, November 4\, through Friday\, November 5\, 2021\, via CharityAuctionsToday.com. \n\n\n\n  URL:https://autismia.com/event/2021-fall-benefit-auction/ CATEGORIES:Fundraiser END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210910 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210911 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210526T222432Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210910T191555Z UID:4094-1631232000-1631318399@autismia.com SUMMARY:2021 Autism Society of Iowa Employment Conference DESCRIPTION:To register for this conference\, click here. \n  \nThe Autism Society of Iowa and Iowa DD Council are sponsoring a virtual conference via Zoom on Autism & Employment for those on the autism spectrum who are interested in employment\, family members\, employers\, human resource managers\, case managers\, social workers and anyone interested in helping those with ASD in the work place. This conference is free to those on the autism spectrum. \n  \nAgenda \n9:00 – Welcome \n9:05 – 10:05 – Benefits Planning for working when you receive SSI and SSDI with Diane Hernandez\, Program Director Ticket to Work (T2W & CFI)\, Children and Families of Iowa \nThe Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Program connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you\, prepare for work\, find a job\, or maintain success while you are working. If you choose to participate\, you will receive services such as career counseling and job placement and training from our authorized Ticket to Work Employment Network (EN)\, thus helping you on your journey to financial independence. \n10:05 – 10:15 – Break \n10:15 – 11:00- Staying Relevant and Self-Advocating with Lisa Shaw from Mosaic Haven \nThis interactive presentation will help employees stay relevant and learn how to self-advocate so the individual’s efforts of staying relevant into today’s changing world is known and valued by their employers. \nThis is an interactive training session where you will interact\, problem solve and vote by zoom when learning about different scenarios in the workplace. \n11:00 – 11:10 – Break \n11:10 – 12:30 – Service Providers Panel \n\nBalance Autism’s Employment Services Work Readiness Program using Digitability Curriculum – Bridget Quinn\nMosaic Haven’s Employment Program – Lisa Shaw\nAccess to Independence Services – Joel Wesselink\nMetro West Learning Center Employment Program – Ambrose Ball Harney\nEmployment supports that are available within the Intellectual disability\, brain injury and HAB waivers through Medicaid waivers in Iowa. – Denise Juhl\, Program Manager – Employment Services at Amerigroup\n\n12:30 – 1:00 – Lunch Break \n1:00 – 2:30– Virtual Reality Job Interview Training for Autistic Individuals \nMatthew Smith\, Ph.D.\, MSW\, MPE\, LCSW\, Director of the Level Up: Employment Skills Simulation Lab at the University of Michigan (http://leveluplab.org) \nDr. Smith will discuss research on how virtual reality assists those with autism and will demonstrate his virtual reality job interviews training. \n.2:30 – 2:40 – Break \n2:40 – 3:30 – Learning How to Approach Interview Questions from an Autistic Interviewer with Gregg Fort\, Senior Director of Community Engagement and Partnership at Epilepsy Foundation \nGregg will discuss how to answer open ended interview questions from someone with autism who does a lot of interviewing\, and recommendations for interviews on zoom. \n  \nSpeakers and Panelists \nAmbrose Ball-Harney \nAmbrose Is a Lead RBT for Classroom Support and Transitional skills group leader at MWLC. He received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology along with a minor in Religious Studies from the University of Iowa and is currently finishing his thesis for his master’s in psychology from Purdue. He has a long history of working in the Human Services and Mental Health field and greatly enjoys working with individuals with autism and challenging behaviors. \nGregg Fort \nGregg Fort is in his third year with the Epilepsy Foundation currently serving as the Senior Director of Community Engagement and Partnership after over 30 years in higher education leadership.  Gregg oversees EFAs 10 community engagement and partnership geographic territories across the country.\n\nImmediately prior to EF\, Fort coordinated all development\, alumni and affinity activities at Hartwick College in New York as the Vice President for College Advancement\, including intercollegiate athletics.\n\n\nA native of McKinney\, Texas\, Gregg also served three years as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Hilbert College and five years as an Assistant Vice President at DePaul University in Chicago.\n\n\nGregg is a graduate of Austin College where he recently on the alumni board of advisors and his wife Nicci is a women’s basketball coach at Drake University in Des Moines.\n\nDiane Hernandez\n\nDiane is a certified rehabilitation counselor\, work incentive counselor and brain injury specialist trainer. She received her master’s degree in counseling from Drake University. Diane has spoken in state and national forums on work incentives\, effective collaboration\, return to work after brain injury\, working with impulsive populations\, and the reverse job fair concept. \nDenise Juhl \nDenise is a Central Iowa native.  During Denise’s career she has enjoyed assisting persons with barriers to employment with connections for opportunities leading to training and employment options. \nDenise is the Manager of Member Employment Services with Amerigroup Iowa and has been with Amerigroup since 2016. Prior to that she assisted homeless young adults\, level 3 high schools students and senior citizens with employment assistance. \nLisa Shaw \nLisa Shaw – CEO / Founder Mosaic Haven + Future-Ready Transition Program \nLisa Shaw has been leading parents\, teachers\, and schools in building meaningful IEPs and Transition Plans that appropriately prepare teens for life after high school.  With extensive lived experience\, Lisa understands the importance of supporting every child in reaching their fullest potential not only within the classroom but also within their home\, work\, and community.  Her proven methods and customized programs have helped hundreds of families to prepare their children to become future-ready with further education\, employment\, and independent living. \nMatthew Smith\, PH.D.\, MSW\, MPE\, LCSW \nMatthew J. Smith\, PhD\, is an Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Michigan and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Dr. Smith’s primary motivation is to reduce social isolation for underrepresented groups through enhancing their opportunities to obtain and sustain employment. Dr. Smith received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. \nDr. Smith’s main research interests focus on developing and evaluating technology-based interventions that can be delivered in high schools\, community mental health agencies and prisons to improve employment and mental health outcomes for transition-age youth with autism or other disabilities\, adults with serious mental illness or other disabilities\, and returning citizens. \nDr. Smith’s research is currently funded by the National Institute of Mental Health\, National Institute of Justice\, and the Kessler Foundation. \nBridget Quinn\, MA \nBridget Quinn is the Community Employment Director at Balance Autism and has been with Balance Autism since 2018. She recently graduated with her master’s degree in Special Education and a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. She’s currently working on her supervision hours to sit for the BCBA exam.  Bridget lives in Bondurant with her fiancé\, their two sons and their puppy. \nJoel Wesselink \nJoey Wesselink is an autism self-advocate in the state of Iowa. He was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum when he was 25 years of age. He is currently the Administrative Assistant at Access 2 Independence\, which is one of the six centers for independent living in the state of Iowa. He lives in Iowa City and enjoys reading\, writing\, playing video games\, being outside\, watching sports or pro wrestling with friends and trivia nights. He was a part of the LEND training program in 2019-2020 as a self-advocate trainee. He graduated from the LEND program in May of 2020. Joey is also on the Autism Society of Iowa Board and is a member of the group #UpgardeMedicaid. Joey Graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism in 2013. URL:https://autismia.com/event/2021-autism-society-of-iowa-employment-conference/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210705 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210829 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210619T001052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210901T003716Z UID:4110-1625443200-1630195199@autismia.com SUMMARY:Autism Society of Iowa Virtual Statewide Walk DESCRIPTION:Join the Au-Some 54 Day Challenge!\nThis is a virtual event. We challenge you to walk\, ride\, swim or run for 54 days beginning on July 5! Or pick your own activity and track your miles! Participate alone or create a team with family and friends\, taking the Challenge from ANYWHERE! Log your miles and see how far you can go! \n1 in 54 children are diagnosed with autism\, so please join us this summer to walk\, ride or run for a combined 540 miles throughout Iowa to signify helping those with autism in Iowa. \nRegister today and start submitting your miles on July 5! \n  \nThank you to our 2021 sponsors!\n\n\n\n\n\nBecome a sponsor!\nThe Autism Society of Iowa is offering sponsorships for the 2021 Autism Society of Iowa Virtual Statewide Walk. Sponsorships are $100.00 and allow you a 5-10 minute commercial during the Zoom get together on August 28\, your logo on all promotional walk items\, and your information emailed to the team captains and participants. \nClick here for more information and to become a sponsor! URL:https://autismia.com/event/autism-society-of-iowa-virtual-statewide-walk/ CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Outdoor/Recreation,Walk/Run END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210429T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210429T130000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210225T005539Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210225T010000Z UID:4004-1619697600-1619701200@autismia.com SUMMARY:Higher IQ Influences One's Experience with Autism and Not Always for the Better Lunch and Learn - Presented by - Dr. Jake Michaelson DESCRIPTION:To register for this lunch and learn\, click here. \n  \nAlthough intellectual disability is common among people with autism\, some have a very high IQ. Individuals with autism and a very high IQ are sometimes called “twice-exceptional” or 2e. For some symptoms\, a higher IQ is associated with fewer problems.  In other areas\, the opposite is true. By partnering with the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa and reviewing the records of over 1\,000 gifted individuals\, we were able to identify both specific strengths\, and specific challenges that 2e individuals face compared to normal IQ individuals (with and without ASD). We found that 2e individuals have specific strengths in working memory and verbal comprehension\, but they also experience significantly more mood and anxiety problems than their autistic peers in the normal IQ range. Some analyses suggest increased rates of suicidal thoughts among 2e individuals\, underscoring the urgency of better understanding the twice-exceptional population. \nDr. Jake Michaelson is a Roy J. Carver associate professor in psychiatry and neuroscience and the division director of computational and molecular psychiatry at the University of Iowa. His lab uses advanced computational approaches to study the effect of genetic variations on the development of the brain\, with specific applications in autism and language impairment. He earned his B.S. and M.S. in biological engineering at Utah State University before earning his PhD in computational biology at the Technische Universitat Dresden in Germany in 2010. After his time in Germany\, he joined the lab of psychiatric geneticist Jonathan Sebat at UC San Diego\, where he completed his postdoctoral training and published several of the earliest papers dealing with whole genome sequencing in autism. In 2013 he joined the faculty at the University of Iowa\, and his current research is supported by NIMH\, NIDCD\, the Simons Foundation\, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. URL:https://autismia.com/event/higher-iq-influences-ones-experience-with-autism-and-not-always-for-the-better-lunch-and-learn-presented-by-dr-jake-michaelson/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210422T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210422T130000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210225T005018Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210225T010110Z UID:4002-1619092800-1619096400@autismia.com SUMMARY:Autism and Depression - How to Recognize Depression\, Anxiety and the Risk for Suicide Lunch and Learn - Presented by - Mikle South DESCRIPTION:To register for this lunch and learn\, click here. \n  \nThis lunch and learn will focus on recognizing depression and anxiety in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and will also highlight the experience(s) of women with autistic traits who were interviewed about their depression and shared their personal stories. \nMikle South is Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University. He received a BA from Yale University followed by a PhD in Child Clinical Psychology at the University of Utah\, working with Dr. Sally Ozonoff. He returned to Yale for postdoctoral training in developmental neuroimaging. His research program is focused on understanding the interaction of anxiety and autism in brain and behavior\, and recent studies of sleep in autism and risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. He loves playing soccer and eating proper pizza. URL:https://autismia.com/event/autism-and-depression-how-to-recognize-depression-anxiety-and-the-risk-for-suicide-lunch-and-learn-presented-by-mikle-south/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210418T130000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210418T170000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210304T022622Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210414T195624Z UID:4026-1618750800-1618765200@autismia.com SUMMARY:2021 Billiards Tournament- Windsor Heights DESCRIPTION:To register\, click here. \nFor a printable event flyer\, click here. \nPool Tournament to Benefit the Autism Society of Iowa At  \n   \n9 Ball Singles Tournament\, Race to 3 \nDate:  April 18\, 2021 \n1:00 – Registration and Rules Meeting \n2:00 – Play Begins \n$10.00 Registration Fee \n \nWinner receives ½ of Registration Fee \nQuestions?  Please call or text Jeremy Davis at 712-269-8889 \nCome and Enjoy the Taco Bar! \n$1.00 from every blue signature drink sold benefits: \n   URL:https://autismia.com/event/2021-billiards-tournament-windsor-heights/ LOCATION:The Ridgement\, 7460 Hickman Road\, Windsor Heights\, IA\, 50324\, United States CATEGORIES:Awareness Event,Outdoor/Recreation END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210415T190000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210415T220000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210312T224423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210312T224423Z UID:4045-1618513200-1618524000@autismia.com SUMMARY:"Swim Team" Virtual Viewing Party DESCRIPTION:Register today for a virtual watch party of the documentary\, “Swim Team”\, on April 15\, at 7:00 p.m. Following the screening\, join the live conversation with filmmaker\, Lara Stolman. Brought to you by ASK Resource Center\, Iowa DD Council and Autism Society of Iowa. \nClick here to register. URL:https://autismia.com/event/swim-team-virtual-viewing-party/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210415T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210415T130000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210225T004803Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210225T010217Z UID:4000-1618488000-1618491600@autismia.com SUMMARY:Poor Sleep in Autism: Where Are You on the Map? Lunch and Learn - Presented by - Dr. Jacob Michaelson DESCRIPTION:To register for this lunch and learn\, click here. \n  \nMost people with autism complain of poor sleep. Unfortunately\, previous research had a hard time understanding exactly what kinds of poor sleep were most prevalent in autism. With the support of over 5\,000 families with autism from the SPARK study\, we were able to identify eight distinct patterns that describe most kinds of poor sleep experienced in autism. We were able to identify genetic factors underlying these sleep patterns\, and also which sleep aids show the most evidence of working for each pattern. \nDr. Jake Michaelson is a Roy J. Carver associate professor in psychiatry and neuroscience and the division director of computational and molecular psychiatry at the University of Iowa. His lab uses advanced computational approaches to study the effect of genetic variations on the development of the brain\, with specific applications in autism and language impairment. He earned his B.S. and M.S. in biological engineering at Utah State University before earning his PhD in computational biology at the Technische Universitat Dresden in Germany in 2010. After his time in Germany\, he joined the lab of psychiatric geneticist Jonathan Sebat at UC San Diego\, where he completed his postdoctoral training and published several of the earliest papers dealing with whole genome sequencing in autism. In 2013 he joined the faculty at the University of Iowa\, and his current research is supported by NIMH\, NIDCD\, the Simons Foundation\, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. \n  URL:https://autismia.com/event/poor-sleep-in-autism-where-are-you-on-the-map-lunch-and-learn-presented-by-dr-jacob-michaelson/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210409T090000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210409T160000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210225T005819Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210304T020705Z UID:4006-1617958800-1617984000@autismia.com SUMMARY:Autism\, Gender and Sexual Identity Conference DESCRIPTION:Autism\, Gender and Sexual Identity Conference\nFriday\, April 9\, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.\nTo register for this conference\, click here. \nFor a printable event flyer\, click here. \n  \nAgenda \n9:00 a.m. – Welcome \n9:05 a.m. –  Autism and Identity: Making Sense of Gender\, Presented by Peter Daniolos\, M.D. \nLearning Objectives: \nParticipants will leave this seminar with heightened appreciation of the importance of not foreclosing on gendered options when working with all youth\, including those who present as gender nonconforming (GNC)\, gender diverse (GD)\, gender expansive (GE)\, gender non-binary\, or transgender\, with or without the clinical diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria (GD). Additional learning goals include: \n\nTo understand the role that Autism might play in the consolidation of gender identity.\nTo develop a deeper knowledge base of environmental and psychological factors that play central roles in adolescent identity formation in all adolescents\, and the distorting impact of STIGMA leading to psychopathology.\nTo review the emerging data base supporting a higher rate of gender diversity (GNC/GE/etc.) in youth with autism\, and vice versa.\n\n10:30 a.m. – Break \n10:45 – Noon – ASD & LGBTQ Panel \n\nElizabeth Graham\nSascha Klomp\nJillian Nelson\nAbby Niederhauser\n\n12:00 p.m. – Overview of LGBTQ Clinic at the University of Iowa – Katie Imborek \n12:15 – Lunch Break \n1:00 p.m. – The Gender and Autism Program: The First Clinical Care Program for Gender Diverse Neurodiverse Youth and Young Adults\, Presented by John Strang\, PsyD.  \nJohn Strang will describe the development of the Gender and Autism Program\, the first clinical support initiative for autistic gender-diverse youth and young adults. Co-created by autistic gender-diverse young people and their parents\, the program offers evaluation\, consultation\, and ongoing support services. Dr. Strang will discuss the clinical models that inform care provided by the program. Structural elements of the clinical service will also be explored\, including its multidisciplinary design\, young clinician training initiative\, and positioning within the larger autism and gender care programs at Children’s National. Practical approaches for adapting components of the program for diverse settings will be discussed \n2:00 p.m. – Break \n2:15 p.m. – Covering More Spectrums: On the Intersections of Autism\, Gender Diversity\, and Sexual Diversity.\, Presented by Anna van der Miesen\, M.D. \nDescription: As not only gender diversity seems to be more common in autistic individuals\, but also sexual orientation seems more diverse among autistic individuals\, the literature to date with regard to sexual diversity and autism will be discussed including the potential impact on mental health. In addition\, examples of stakeholder-derived research initiatives around sexual and gender diversity in autism will be discussed with directions for future research. \n3:15 p.m. – Break \n3:30 p.m. – Gender Identity and Autism: Partnering with the Community to Understand how Biology Plays a Role\, Presented by Jacob Michaelson\, Ph.D. \nSome people are skeptical when scientists talk about genes and autism. Add gender identity to the mix and people get really nervous. We asked stakeholders and non-stakeholders about their attitudes regarding whether and how genetic research should investigate the links between brain development and gender identity. Surprisingly\, we found that the stakeholder community was not opposed to this kind of research. Encouraged by these results\, we have begun to partner with the community in the first genetically informed research into the intersection between autism and gender identity. \n4:00 p.m. – Adjourn \nSpeakers \nPeter Daniolos\, M.D. \nDr. Daniolos is an adjunct Clinical Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at The University of Iowa Children’s Hospital\, where he served as the Training Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Training Program\, and provided clinical evaluations as part of the University of Iowa Autism Center’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry team.  He also ran the Gender Evaluation Program (GEP) in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry\, working in close collaboration with the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics’ LGBT Clinic at Iowa River Landing. \nDr. Daniolos recently moved to Andover\, Massachusetts\, from Iowa with his husband and two sons.  Prior to moving to Iowa\, he served as the Training Director for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at Children’s National Medical Center/ The George Washington University Center\, and the medical director of the Center  for Autism Spectrum Disorders\, where he worked with a multidisciplinary team engaged in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of autism spectrum youth. \nHe attended the University of Denver as an undergraduate\, followed by medical school in his home state at the University of North Dakota.  He then did his Psychiatry residency at Duke\, followed by his Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at Harvard/The Cambridge Hospital. \nJacob Michaelson\, Ph.D. \nDr. Jake Michaelson is a Roy J. Carver associate professor in psychiatry and neuroscience and the division director of computational and molecular psychiatry at the University of Iowa. His lab uses advanced computational approaches to study the effect of genetic variations on the development of the brain\, with specific applications in autism and language impairment. He earned his B.S. and M.S. in biological engineering at Utah State University before earning his PhD in computational biology at the Technische Universitat Dresden in Germany in 2010. After his time in Germany\, he joined the lab of psychiatric geneticist Jonathan Sebat at UC San Diego\, where he completed his postdoctoral training and published several of the earliest papers dealing with whole genome sequencing in autism. In 2013 he joined the faculty at the University of Iowa\, and his current research is supported by NIMH\, NIDCD\, the Simons Foundation\, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. \nJohn Strang\, PsyD \nJohn Strang\, PsyD\, is a neuropsychologist at Children’s National Hospital in Washington\, DC. Dr. Strang is the founder and Director of the Gender and Autism Program\, the first specialty service designed to support the care needs of autistic transgender and gender diverse youth and young adults. In 2014 he identified a high rate of gender diversity among autistic youth (DOI: 10.1007/s10508-014-0285-3). He then led an international expert work group to develop initial clinical guidelines for autistic gender diverse adolescents (2016; DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2016.1228462). Since then\, he has collaborated with autistic transgender young people\, their parents\, and self-advocates and key stakeholders to develop and refine a clinical model to support autistic gender diverse youth and their families (2020; DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2020.1731817). Dr. Strang is also a specialist in self-report measure development\, and is in the midst of calibrating a self-report measure to capture broad gender identities (binary and nonbinary) in youth and adults\, on and off the autism spectrum. As part of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health Global Education Initiative (GEI) and Standards of Care revision workgroup\, Dr. Strang is advocating for awareness of the common intersection of autism and gender diversity. \nAnna van der Miesen\, M.D. \nAnna van der Miesen is a medical doctor in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria of the Amsterdam UMC\, VU University Medical Center\, Amsterdam\, the Netherlands. She combines her clinical work with gender and sexual diverse and neurodiverse/autistic children\, adolescents\, and young adults with research on the intersections of gender and sexual diversity\, neurodiversity\, and mental health. Dr. van der Miesen’s recent work has focused on community-based participatory approaches\, partnering with gender-diverse\, sexually diverse\, and neurodiverse stakeholders to set research priorities and interpret study findings. \nPanelists \nElizabeth Graham (pronouns: she/her/hers) \nElizabeth is an autistic transgender woman. She was diagnosed with Asperger’s during her high school years while attending a private arts-based special education school in Washington\, DC. Elizabeth was among the founding members of her school’s Gay-Straight Alliance when she was a post-graduate student in boarding school in Pennsylvania. In 2013\, she graduated with her B.A. in Psychology and minor in Counseling from Marshall University in Huntington\, West Virginia where she received support from the College Program for Students with ASD. Her academic area of focus was bereavement in people with autism\, inspired by personal experience. At Marshall she was involved with the student LGBTQ activist group\, helping to bring awareness of transgender issues. Elizabeth began in the I/DD field as a direct care worker supporting adults with developmental disabilities in Montgomery County\, Maryland who live in staff supported group homes and their own homes. She officially came out transgender and began her transition in the fall of 2015\, when she began her current job. Since then\, she has been working full-time at The Arc Prince George’s County where she is a Service Coordinator for the Maryland Medicaid Waiver for Children with Autism (aka Autism Waiver). In the fall of 2020\, she began working part-time with Shared Support Maryland as an administrative assistant and person-centered planning trainer. Elizabeth is a member of The Arc of the United States National Council of Self Advocates. She is a co-leader of Maryland Trans Unity\, a peer-led support group for transgender and gender nonconforming people in the DC-Maryland area. She plays the accordion as a hobby. She is active in her church where recently joined the choir in the alto section and has co-taught the Our Whole Lives sexuality education curriculum to the youth group. Elizabeth has been published by HuffPost\, The Arc of the United States Autism Now\, diverseAbility magazine\, and self-published on Academia.edu. \nSascha Klomp \nSascha (he/him) is a trans man with ASS from the Netherlands. He is a trans activist who seeks to educate health care professionals to ensure better care for trans* individuals \nJillian Nelson \nJillian Nelson is an autistic adult\, that works in the autism community as a Community Resource and Policy Advocate. Nelson was diagnosed as a young adult and has since focused her career on systemic changes to improve the lives of people impacted by Autism and other groups experiencing marginalization. Nelson is openly queer and polyamorous and shares her home with her dog and her life with her partners and support team. \nAbby Niederhauser \nAbby is a 33 year old diagnosed with autism. She is a member of the LGBTQ population. URL:https://autismia.com/event/autism-gender-and-sexual-identity-conference/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210408T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210408T130000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210225T004524Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210225T010330Z UID:3998-1617883200-1617886800@autismia.com SUMMARY:Communicating with your Physician\, Recording Information and Organizing Medical Visits Lunch and Learn - Presented by - Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller\, M.D.\, Marie Ugorek\, Susan Askeland DESCRIPTION:To register for this lunch and learn\, click here. \n  \nThis course will teach effective techniques for communicating with your physicians\, recording your medical information and organizing medical visits. \nSusan Askeland graduated from the University of Nebraska with a master’s degree in speech language pathology.  She worked for Northwest AEA in Sioux City as a speech language pathologist and a member of the autism resource team for 37 years. In 2013 she moved to eastern Iowa where she worked as an autism consultant for Grant Wood AEA until her retirement in 2017. \nSusan continues to be actively involved in the autism community . She is a board member of the Autism Society of Iowa\, Corridor Autism Resource Expo (CARE) and the Awesome Autism Awareness and Acceptance Art Project.  Susan also facilitates several support groups that currently meet on Zoom. \nSuzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller is an OB-Gyn and integrative medicine physician who works in Waterloo\, Iowa. She is the parent of a 20-year-old son with autism and has been a board member and past president of ASI since 2005. Dr. Suzanne will share her perspective based on her experiences as both a medical provider and parent\, with the goal of empowering listeners to get the most out of their healthcare encounters. \nMarie Ugorek is an autistic ADHDer with co-occurring EDS and secondary anxiety and depression. Marie’s neurodivergent diagnoses were medically confirmed in 2019 and 2020\, after she came to suspect that there were one or more neurological differences underlying the fact that\, despite the anxiety and depression being consistently well-controlled over two decades\, her ability to function in society had decreased rather than increasing. Marie lives in Cedar Rapids with her husband of twenty years\, where she works part-time in Christian education. URL:https://autismia.com/event/communicating-with-your-physician-recording-information-and-organizing-medical-visits-lunch-and-learn-presented-by-suzanne-bartlett-hackenmiller-m-d-marie-ugorek-susan-askeland/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210401T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210401T130000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210225T004325Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210225T010444Z UID:3996-1617278400-1617282000@autismia.com SUMMARY:Social Emotional Learning Lunch and Learn - Presented by Leslie Rogers\, SLP & Kirsten Smith\, SLP DESCRIPTION:To register for this lunch and learn\, click here. \n  \nThis course will explore key components and stages of social emotional learning (SEL)\, related brain anatomy and function\, and factors that may impact SEL development.  Additionally\, participants will be able to demonstrate an understanding of factors that may impact a child’s use of social emotional skills across the school day and techniques and strategies that will assist children in making use of these skills. \n  \nLeslie Rogers\, M.S.\, CCC-SLP\, has a variety of experience in speech therapy\, occupational therapy and working with children with autism. She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and  the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2002 with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. After graduating\, she worked for Omaha Public Schools for five years as a SLP.    Leslie currently works at ChildServe\, a non-profit specialty healthcare organization focusing on pediatric rehabilitation. Leslie is the Autism Clinical Manager for the ChildServe Autism Program\, which focuses on serving children with Autism up to 21 years old. In 2019\, she became a board member of the Autism Society of Iowa. \nKirsten Smith\, M.A.\, CCC-SLP\, has a variety of experience in providing speech therapy and co-treating with occupational therapy. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders in 1997 and From Indiana University with her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology in 1999. After graduating\, she worked for the public schools in Indiana and California from 1999-2003 as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Leslie then moved to Des Moines\, IA\, where she started work at ChildServe\, a non-profit specialty healthcare organization focusing on pediatric rehabilitation. Kirsten is the Clinical Manager for Speech and Occupational Therapies at ChildServe. In her current role\, Kirsten enjoys developing specialty services and educating staff members at all levels.  Recently she has become a co-leader of ChildServe’s Trauma Informed Care team which is focusing on helping the organization develop trauma informed care practices. URL:https://autismia.com/event/social-emotional-learning-lunch-and-learn-presented-by-leslie-rogers-slp-kirsten-smith-slp/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210304T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210304T130000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210203T235121Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210204T230114Z UID:3982-1614859200-1614862800@autismia.com SUMMARY:Iowa Guardianship Lunch and Learn DESCRIPTION:Have questions about Guardianship in Iowa? \n \n    \nRegister today for a Lunch and Learn on Thursday\, March 4th at 12:00pm CST featuring Attorney Scott Lyon from Disability Rights Iowa. \nZoom information will be emailed to registrants prior to event date. \nFor a printable event flyer\, click here. \nClick here to register!\nHosted by: URL:https://autismia.com/event/guardianship-lunch-and-learn/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210223T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210223T130000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210203T232021Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210203T232109Z UID:3976-1614081600-1614085200@autismia.com SUMMARY:Strategies and Resources to Support Learning at Home Lunch and Learn DESCRIPTION:Click here to register!\n\nThis presentation will cover strategies and resources to help with the continued challenge of children learning at home. Many of you have already developed a solid plan for learning so hopefully this presentation will help to reinforce what is working for your family as well as provide new ideas and twists on your current plan. \n\nJan Turbes and Susan Askeland are the presenters for this event and  are current board members of ASI. Jan and Sue worked together for over 30 years at Northwest AEA supporting autistic students and their families.  \nZoom information will be emailed to registrants prior to event date. URL:https://autismia.com/event/strategies-and-resources-to-support-learning-at-home/ CATEGORIES:Awareness Event,Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210209T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210209T130000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210203T231756Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210203T231756Z UID:3973-1612872000-1612875600@autismia.com SUMMARY:Strategies and Resources to Support Learning at Home Lunch and Learn DESCRIPTION:Click here to register!\n\nThis presentation will cover strategies and resources to help with the continued challenge of children learning at home. Many of you have already developed a solid plan for learning so hopefully this presentation will help to reinforce what is working for your family as well as provide new ideas and twists on your current plan. \n\nJan Turbes and Susan Askeland are the presenters for this event and  are current board members of ASI. Jan and Sue worked together for over 30 years at Northwest AEA supporting autistic students and their families.  \nA follow up session for questions and additional resources will be held on February 23rd.  \nZoom information will be emailed to registrants prior to event date. URL:https://autismia.com/event/strategies-and-resources-to-support-learning-at-home-lunch-and-learn/ CATEGORIES:Awareness Event,Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210205T090000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210205T110000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20210104T221904Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210123T015737Z UID:3949-1612515600-1612522800@autismia.com SUMMARY:2021 Autism Advocacy and Acceptance Day DESCRIPTION:Due to COVID-19 restrictions and for the safety of our members\, attendees\, and staff\, the 11th Annual Autism Advocacy and Acceptance Day will be held virtually via Zoom on Friday\, February 5\, from 9am – 11am. This will replace our annual Day on the Hill event at the Iowa State Capitol.\nTo register\, click here. URL:https://autismia.com/event/2021-autism-acceptance-and-advocacy-day-on-the-hill/ CATEGORIES:Advocacy END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20201106T080000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20201106T160000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20200820T205722Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201103T200547Z UID:3760-1604649600-1604678400@autismia.com SUMMARY:2020 Fall Educational Conference DESCRIPTION:2020 Autism Society of Iowa Fall Conference via Zoom\n\nFeaturing Keynote Speaker Dr. James Ball\, Ed.D.\, BCBA-D\n\n\nFriday\, November 6\, 2020 \n8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.\nTo register for the conference\, click here.\nFor a printable flyer or to pay via mail/purchase order\, click here.\n\nConference Agenda \n8:00 a.m. – Announcements – ASI President Roxanne Cogil \n\nAttendance for CEU’s\n\n8:10 – 9:15 – “You can’t make me: Proactive Strategies for Positive Behavioral Change” –  Presented by James Ball\, Ed.D.\, BCBA-D (1.0 BCBA CEU\, 1.0 SLP CEU\, 1.0 SW CEU) \nThis presentation will discuss the 7 evidence based strategies\, described in the book\, Early Intervention:  Real Life Questions; Real Life Answers\, authored by the presenter\, that have been proven the most effective in teaching students and adults with an autism spectrum disorder.  It will focus on teaching of specific skills\, reducing challenging behaviors\, and building an effective program as outlined in the book\, You can’t make me: Proactive Strategies for Positive Behavioral Change.” It will guide the participant\, step by step\, through the process of implementing these 7 evidence-based strategies in a school based or adult services program.  Real life examples will be used.   Modifications will be explored that allow this particular program to be effective with students significantly challenged with autism\, as well as those students with Asperger’s Syndrome.  Because of the nature of this presentation\, a question and answer period will be provided. \nGoal: Understanding systematic techniques for teaching students on the autism spectrum. \nObjectives: \n\nParticipants will be able to identify 3 reinforcement techniques to assist an individual on the autism spectrum in the learning process.\nParticipants will be able to implement 3 specific teaching techniques that will assist an individual on the autism spectrum in the learning process.\nParticipants will be able to design an individualized teaching program that will assist an individual on the autism spectrum in the learning process.\n\n9:15 – 9:30 – Break \n9:30 – 10:45 – “You can’t make me: Proactive Strategies for Positive Behavioral Change” – Presented by James Ball\, Ed.D.\, BCBA-D (1.0 BCBA CEU\, 1.25 SLP CEU\, 1.25 SW CEU) \n10:45 – 11:00 – Break \n11:00 – 12:30 – Panel of Adults with Autism (1.50 SLP CEU\, 1.50 SW CEU) \n\nAbby Niederhauser\nReyma McCoy-McDeid\nMarie Ugorek\nMike Dierdorff\nAlex Wehrspann\nJoel Wesselink\n\n12:30 – Essay winners will read their essays on having a friend with autism \n12:40 – Conference sponsors will introduce themselves along with drawings for $25 Amazon gift cards \n1:00 – 2:00 – “Enhancing Social Skills throughout the Educational Years to Adulthood” – Presented by James Ball\, Ed.D.\, BCBA-D (BCBA CEU\, 1.0 SLP CEU\, 1.0 SW CEU) \nThis presentation will discuss the Skill Streaming social skills teaching program.  It will focus on teaching specific social skills\, enhancing motivation\, and generalization training.  A step by step demonstration will be presented using real life examples.   Modifications will be explored that allow this particular social skills program to be effective with students significantly challenged with autism\, as well as those students with Asperger’s Syndrome.  Because of the nature of this presentation\, a question and answer period will be provided. \nGoal: To enhance the social skills of individuals on the autism spectrum. \nObjectives: \n\nParticipants will be able to identify 3 specific techniques to assist an individual on the autism spectrum with their social skills.\nParticipants will be able to implement 3 specific techniques that will assist an individual on the autism spectrum with their social skills.\nParticipants will be able to design an individualized social skills program that will assist an individual on the autism spectrum with their social skills.\nParticipants will be able to identify appropriate motivational systems to assist to use of social skills for individuals on the autism spectrum.\n\n2:00 – 2:15 – Break \n2:15 – 3:30 – Covid-19 & Behavior: Common Concerns – Presented by Todd Kopelman\, PH.D.\, BCBA-D and Matt O’Brien\, Ph.D.\, BCBA-D (1.0 BCBA CEU\, 1.25 SLP CEU\, 1.26 SW CEU) \nObjectives: Audience members will be able to: \n\nIdentify common challenges reported by parents of children with ASD related to COVID-19\nDescribe behavioral strategies for increasing mask wearing & social distancing\nUnderstand techniques to help students with autism adjust to changes in familiar school routines\n\n  \nSpeakers \nDr. Jim Ball\, Ed.D.\, BCBA-D \nDr. Jim Ball\, A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D)\, has been working in the private sector field of autism for 25+ years.  In a variety of settings\, he has provided educational\, employment\, and residential services to children and adults affected with autism. \nDr. Ball has lectured nationally and internationally\, provided expert testimony\, and published in the areas of early intervention\, behavior\, consultation services\, social skills\, technology\, and trauma.  He is a featured author and is on the advisory board for the Autism Asperger’s Digest magazine.  His 2008 triple Award-Winning book\, “Early Intervention & Autism:  Real-Life Questions\, Real-Life Answers” was released in February of 2008.Speakers. \nTodd Kopelman\, Ph.D.\, BCBA-D \nDr. Todd Kopelman is a licensed psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst. He is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. His primary clinical interests are the assessment of autism in children and adults and the evaluation and treatment of challenging behaviors in children and adults with developmental disabilities. Dr. Kopelman is the co-director of the UIHC Autism Center\, has served as the coordinator for 3 federal research studies evaluating the use of telehealth to coach parents to evaluate and treat severe challenging behaviors displayed by their young children with autism\, and co-teaches a graduate seminar on autism spectrum disorders. He has served as a board member on the Autism Society of Iowa since 2010. \nMatthew O’Brien\, Ph.D.\, BCBA-D \nMatthew O’Brien\, Ph.D.\, BCBA-D\, is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.  He completed his doctorate in Psychological and Quantitative Foundations from the University of Iowa and completed postdoctoral fellowships in neuropsychology and behavioral psychology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  Dr. O’Brien serves as the Director of Biobehavioral Services and Director of Research and Psychology for the Iowa LEND program. Dr. O’Brien is an investigator on a multisite R01 research grant funded by NIH evaluating behavioral assessment through telehealth and conducts research related to functional analysis of severe and challenging behavior in individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. \n  \nConference Information \nThis conference will be provided on zoom.  The link to join will be sent when you register for the conference. \n  \nContinuing Education Units \nThe Autism Society of Iowa is an accredited sponsor for CEU’s for Social Work #300 and Speech Language Pathology #191.  This conference offers 5.75 credit hours of SLP CEU’s and 5.75 credit hours of SW CEU’s. \nBalance Autism will be the accredited sponsor for BCBA CEU’s.  This conference offers 4.0 credit hours of BCBA CEU’s. \n  \nThank you to this years conference sponsors!\n  \n \n \n \n \n  \n  \nThank you to the following service providers who are participating in our virtual Information and Resource Fair!\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nAutism Society of Iowa Virtual Exhibitor Registration\nTo register to be a virtual exhibitor\, click here.\nFor a downloadable and printable registration form\, click here.\n  \nThe Autism Society of Iowa is offering registration for service providers to participate in our virtual Information and Resource Fair\, which will be held during our virtual annual conference on Friday\, November 6\, 2020.  The keynote speaker will be James Ball\, Ed.D.\, BCBA-D who will speak on pro-active strategies for positive behavior changes and enhancing social skills. \nSponsor Benefits – $500\n\nReceive all virtual exhibitor benefits\nGive brief remarks prior to the afternoon session\nSponsor contact info and website to be shared in the chat box for all attendees during brief remarks\nDrawing to be held for a $25 Amazon gift card to incentivize conference attendees to return from their lunch break to listen to sponsor remarks.\nOpportunity for conference attendees to participate in a separate Q/A zoom session with sponsor to be held within a few weeks post-conference and organized by ASI.\n\nVirtual Exhibitor Benefits – $50 \n\nYour logo and link to your website on all conference marketing materials and on our website and newsletter\nOver 100 people in attendance will have access to your information\nOne free complimentary registration to the conference\nAcknowledgement through social media prior to the conference\nUpload resource to virtual exhibitor room\n\n  URL:https://autismia.com/event/2020-fall-educational-conference/ CATEGORIES:Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20201105T090000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20201106T210000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20201005T223951Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201027T043308Z UID:3816-1604566800-1604696400@autismia.com SUMMARY:2020 Autism Society of Iowa Online Benefit Auction DESCRIPTION:Autism Society of Iowa’s Spectrum of Support\n \n\nThe 2020 Autism Society of Iowa Benefit Auction will be held virtually via CharityAuctionsToday with bidding opening on November 5 at 9:00 AM and ending November 6 at 9:00 PM. Auction items will be posted for preview in mid-October.\nTo view auction items and register to bid\, click here.\n\n\n\nAutism Society of Iowa (ASI) – Spectrum of Support Online Auction – Information \nBidding details: \n\nBidding will start on Thursday\, November 5th at 9:00 a.m. (CST) and end on Friday\, November 6th from 9:00 – 9:30 p.m. with varied ending times for items.\nThe auction will be an online silent auction with a photo of each item\, description\, and donor’s name.\nTo bid\, you must register as a bidder on Charity Auctions Today and provide the required information on the form\, including a valid credit card number if you are the winning bidder.\nAll sales are final and are non-refundable. Contents of the package are sold as is. ASI provides no warranty or guarantee on any item.\nA receipt for your purchases will be emailed to you by Charity Auctions Today.\nShould an auction package become non-redeemable due to COVID-19 (ex: business closure or service not available) your bid will be converted into a donation which may be used as a tax deductible gift to ASI and a tax letter will be sent to you.\nRestrictions and expiration dates do apply on some auction items. Every effort has been made to indicate such within the auction descriptions as accurately as possible; however\, ASI is not responsible for any restrictions omitted or not otherwise indicated by the donor or prizes not claimed within the scope of the restrictions or expiration dates.\nAll bidders of items containing alcohol or gift certificates for alcohol must be 21 years of age or older. These items must be picked up by someone 21 years of age or older.\nThe items and certificates generously donated to ASI for the auction may not be redeemed for cash or returned to the business for cash or exchange unless otherwise indicated.\n\nHow to receive your auction item(s): \n\nThe Autism Society of Iowa will contact you to transfer the item you won to you. Special arrangements will be made for all baked items\, where ASI and the baker are responsible for delivery to the recipient on an approved date.\nShipping is not being offered on any items unless special arrangements are made. The buyer is responsible for all shipping charges. Please contact autism50ia@aol.comor call 515-327-9075 if you would like to request that your Item be shipped.\nIf the auction packages you won are not picked up by Friday\, November 20 at 4:30 pm\, or other arrangements have not been made with ASI\, we will consider your items to be a donation back to ASI and will use the unclaimed items in future events.\n\nAdditional important auction information: \n\nASI is not liable or responsible in any way for the loss\, injury or damage to any person or property arising from the use of an auction item. By participating in the auction\, bidders agree to release and hold ASI harmless from any claim arising from the use of goods or services offered at auction.\nASI reserves the right to withdraw any item from sale at any time or change the item’s description/listing.\nThe Autism Society of Iowa is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. EIN #1305731\nOur thanks to the many generous donors who have made this auction possible.\nIf you have any questions related to the auction or the Autism Society of Iowa\, contact us at:515-327-9075 or autism50ia@aol.com. URL:https://autismia.com/event/2020-autism-society-of-iowa-online-benefit-auction/ CATEGORIES:Fundraiser END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200911T090000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200911T150000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20200718T004627Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200904T202440Z UID:3728-1599814800-1599836400@autismia.com SUMMARY:9th Annual Autism & Employment Conference DESCRIPTION:9th Annual Autism & Employment Conference \nPresented by the Autism Society of Iowa and the Iowa Development Disability Council \nFriday\, September 11\, 2020 \nVirtual Conference Held by Zoom \nClick here to register! \nFor a printable event flyer\, click here! \n  \nAgenda \n9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – How to Prepare for an Interview \nPresenters:  Candice Fedeler\, MA\, Ed.  and Ambrose Ball-Harney \n10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – Accessing Employment Services – Faciliated by Bill Kallestad\, Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council \nPresenters: \n\nBrian Dennis\, MS\, CRC – Iowa Employment Solutions and Ticket to Work\nChris Phillips – Transition Alliance Program at Cedar Falls Schools\nScott Atwood\, Ph.D. and Bridget Quinn – Balance Autism\nMichelle Krefft\, MS\, Director of Business Relations\, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services\n\n11:30 a.m.  – 12:30 p.m.-Scanning the workplace – 4 scans autistic people can do at work to recognize where they might face sensory\, movement\, communication\, and executive function issues. \nPresenters:  Josh Cobbs and Anne Grego-Nagel \nWelcoming Workplaces: Scanning the Workplace \nIn this session\, we introduce one of the tools included in the Welcoming Workplace digital course series available to participating job seekers and autistic employees at participating employers. The course for autistic employees was design by Autism Speaks to help autistic people navigate the workplace and understand how autism affects their individual workplace experience. The workplace scan tools in this course support autistic employees in advocating for their needs\, including accommodations and adjustments that can improve their comfort and performance. \n12:30 p.m. – Break \n1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.– Finding a good fit: Connecting Passion to Vocation   \nPresenter:  Ashlea Lantz\, MA \nThis session will focus on Discovering Personal Genius.  We all have Personal Genius\, but how do we tap into our Personal Genius and use it to find employment? Believe it or not there are unlimited ways to make a living!  If you’re interested in exploring your own Personal Genius or a family member’s\, please join this session to learn more about exploring your skills and talents and connecting them to the world of work. \n2:15 – Panel of Employees with Autism – Facilitated by Sue Askeland \n\nLeo Bird – U.S. Post Office\nMike Dierdorff – Talk to Me Technologies\nTyler Leech – Wells Fargo\nReyma McCoy McDeid\, MA\, – Central Iowa Center for Independent Living\nJoel Wesselink – Mercy Hospital\, Iowa City\n\n  \nContinuing Education Units \nContinuing Education Credits: The Autism Society of Iowa is an accredited sponsor for CEU’s for Social Work #300. This conference offers 5.5 credit hours. Certificates of Attendance will be provided for CEU’s. \n  \nKeynote Speakers \nAmbrose Ball-Harney \nAmbrose is the Lead RBT Classroom Support and Transition at Metro West Learning.  He received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology along with a minor in Religious Studies from the University of Iowa. He has a long history of working in the Human Services field and greatly enjoys working with students with autism and challenging behavior. \nJosh Cobbs \nJosh Cobbs is Manager of Employment Initiatives at Autism Speaks. His work encompasses managing the day to day operations\, and implementation of the Autism Speaks employment ecosystem of services and supports. His past work includes serving as a vocational counselor for the State of Iowa\, working with post-secondary institutions on transition and employment programs for individuals with barriers\, and founding an autism center. Cobbs resides in Iowa with his wife and three children. \nCandice Federler\, MA ED. \nCandice is the Director of Programming and Metro West Learning and holds a degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa and completed her course work in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Chicago School of Psychology. She worked for Des Moines Public Schools as a Behavior Interventionist for grades K-5. Candice has been trained in ABA\, Verbal Behavior\, Lindamood-Bell Visualizing Verbalizing and Seeing Stars\, TEACCH\, Picture Exchange Communication Systems\, and other communication devices. She is well-versed in Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) and has given several trainings to staff and families on how to implement with fidelity. Candice is a Certified Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Trainer and A Registered Behavior Technician. Candice is a board member of the Autism Society of Iowa. \nAnne Grego-Nagel \nAnne Nagel is a cognitive engineer and human factors specialist at Autism Speaks. She is also an executive function coach with a focus on autistic girls and women. Anne earned her PhD in industrial engineering from Kansas State University. Her main research interest includes building products\, services\, practices and tasks based on how the brain processes information. After years of struggling with everyday tasks\, Anne was diagnosed with autism as an adult. \nAshlea Lantz \nAshlea Lantz is a Senior Consultant with Griffin-Hammis Associates. She provides training and technical assistance around Customized Employment\, Supported Employment\, Self-Employment\, Benefits Planning\, and Agency Capacity Building. Before joining Griffin-Hammis Associates\, Ashlea was the Director of Employment of a community-based rehabilitation agency. She has extensive experience in working with families both personally and professionally. Ashlea is a certified benefits planner and has a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Drake University. \n  URL:https://autismia.com/event/9th-annual-autism-employment-conference/ CATEGORIES:Education,Employment END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200908T090000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20201010T000000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20200906T000720Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201005T195659Z UID:3796-1599555600-1602288000@autismia.com SUMMARY:2020 ASI Southwest Iowa Virtual Walk for Autism Acceptance DESCRIPTION:To register for the 2020 ASI Southwest Iowa Virtual Walk for Autism Acceptance\, click here.\n\n  \nIf you registered prior to the t-shirt deadline (September 25)\, please pick up your walk t-shirts on Tuesday\, October 6th\, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at our drive through pickup location at 902 N. Sumner Ave. (Fredricksen Memorials across from Casey’s). \nThen\, please text pictures to 641-247-9455 of yourself\, family\, and/or team sporting your purple or other team shirts this week! We will post pictures during our virtual program on October 10th starting at 9:00 a.m. or you can post pictures to our event page!! \nYou may call or text this number if you have questions! \nYou can join the virtual program two different ways: \n\nVia Facebook Live at our Event Page under the DISCUSSION tab! This will also be recorded for future viewing!\nOR via Zoom\n\nMeeting ID 917 1933 6376  \nPasscode 424083\n\n\n\nDuring the live event\, a $25 Amazon gift card will be awarded to the person who posts a picture of themselves participating in the virtual walk living the greatest distance from Creston\, IA! So be sure to get your friends and relatives invited! \nSince we were not able to get the fundraising event page up and running for this Virtual Walk\, we are instead awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to the Zoom participant with the BEST virtual background and also a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly selected REGISTERED participant! \nAll awards will be announced at the end of the program so please tune in! \nThanks again to our local sponsors!\nStalker Chevrolet\nGreater Regional Medical Center\nBunn-O-Matic\nFirst National Bank\nTyler Insurance\nPearson Funeral Home\nBen Adamson State Farm\nGreater Regional Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine\nChat Mobility\nSubway\nLarry & Summer Murdock URL:https://autismia.com/event/2020-creston-virtual-walk-for-autism/ CATEGORIES:Awareness Event,Fundraiser,Outdoor/Recreation,Walk/Run END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200725T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200725T140000 DTSTAMP:20260503T103717 CREATED:20200501T172335Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200724T211435Z UID:3701-1595678400-1595685600@autismia.com SUMMARY:SPLASH for Autism- Waterloo DESCRIPTION:Join us on Saturday\, July 25 at Cedar Valley Sportsplex in Waterloo for a SPLASH for Autism event. Doors open at noon; swimming begins at 12:30pm! \nRegistration required. \nCOVID Guidelines \nTo register\, click here. \nThe Autism Society of Iowa SPLASH for Autism program allows individuals with autism\, their families and caregivers the opportunity to swim without many of the distractions of a typical swimming environment\, such as whistles\, music and excessive noise. ALL individuals with autism and their families/caregivers are invited to swim FREE of CHARGE! All children must be accompanied by an adult. \n \nTo expand the reach of our SPLASH for Autism program throughout 2020\, The Autism Society of Iowa has received a $4843.00 grant from Variety – The Children’s Charity. \nThe Variety grant will be used to rent pools to provide a safe\, sensory friendly pool event for those with autism who enjoy water\, along with their families and care givers\, but who cannot attend a public pool when it is open to the public. \nVariety\, the Children’s Charity is dedicated to improving the lives of children who are at-risk\, underprivileged\, critically ill or living with special needs.  Grant funding is provided to programs and initiatives that directly impact the well-being of children.  For more information on Variety grants and programs please visit varietyiowa.com. \nFor the full press release\, click here. URL:https://autismia.com/event/splash-for-autism-waterloo-2/ LOCATION:Cedar Valley Sportsplex\, 300 Jefferson Street\, Waterloo\, IA\, 50701\, United States CATEGORIES:SPLASH/Swim END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR