8TH ANNUAL CONFE RENCE th nd JANUARY 20 - JANUARY 22 , 2016

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: , Ph.D

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is the most accomplished and well-known adult with in the world. Dr. Grandin didn't talk until she was three and a half years old, communicating her frustration instead by screaming, peeping, and humming. In 1950, she was diagnosed with autism and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. She tells her story of "groping her way from the far side of darkness" in her book Emergence: Labelled Autistic, a book which stunned the world because, until its publication, most professionals and parents assumed that an autism diagnosis was virtually a death sentence to achievement or productivity in life. Dr. Grandin presently works as a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She also speaks around the world on both autism and cattle handling. Dr. Grandin's current bestselling book on autism is The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's. She also authored Unwritten of Social Relationships, Animals Make us Human, , Thinking in Pictures, Emergence: Labelled Autistic and produced several DVDs. Her fascinating life, with all its challenges and successes has been brought to the screen; HBO has produced the full-length film Temple Grandin. The movie won 7 Awards at the 62nd Emmy Awards on Sunday August 29, 2010. Temple Grandin's work continues to inspire millions, and she has recently been named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world!

Keynote SPEAKER: Barry Prizant, Ph.D Dr. Barry Prizant has more than 40 years experience as a scholar, researcher and international consultant for individuals with autism, and emotional and behavioral disabilities and their families. Barry is an Adjunct Professor, Brown University, and Director of Childhood Communication Services, a private practice. Formerly, he was an Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry in the Brown University School of Medicine, and tenured Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Emerson College, Boston.

Barry is co-author and co-developer of The SCERTS Model: A comprehensive educational approach for children with ASD (2006), and Disorders: A Developmental, Transactional Perspective (2000). The SCERTS Model is now being implemented in more than a dozen countries. He has published more than 120 articles and chapters, and has presented more than 700 seminars and Keynote addresses internationally. Barry consults to public and private schools, and agencies world-wide. Over the past 20 years, he has developed, co-facilitates and raises funds for an annual weekend retreat for parents of children with autism. Barry has received many awards including the 2014 Honors of the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association, 2005 Princeton University-Eden Foundation Career Award in Autism, and the 2013 “Divine Award” of the Global and Regional Asperger’s Syndrome Partnership. He was an invited speaker for the 2013 World Autism Awareness Day at the .

Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism Autism is often portrayed as a checklist of deficits, including difficulty interacting socially, problems in communicating and speaking, sensory challenges and repetitive movements. To the general public, the experience of autism is often described as a “tragedy” for the person with autism and the family. These perspectives lead to therapies that too often focus on ridding an individual of “autistic” symptoms, and limit access to opportunities for full participation and inclusion in the community and society at large.

In this presentation, a new and compelling paradigm will be shared: the most successful approaches to autism don’t aim at fixing a person by eliminating symptoms, but rather seeking to understand the individual’s experience and what underlies the behavior. Instead of classifying “autistic” behaviors as a signs of pathology, it’s better to examine them as part of a range of strategies to deal with a world that feels chaotic, overwhelming and frightening. It’s better to enhance abilities, build on strengths, and offer supports that will naturally lead to more desirable behavior and a better quality of life. It’s also essential to convey to the public the strengths and possibilities for people with autism, and how, by doing so, we can all help to evolve a more compassionate and caring society. Juliann Woods, Ph.D

Juliann Woods, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is a professor and chair in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Florida State University. She has over 25 years of experience in early intervention and preschool service delivery as both an SLP and an Early Childhood Special Education teacher. Her current research and teaching interests include family guided routines based intervention, early communication and social interaction for young children with ASD, and language and literacy development for children at risk for academic success. She has been an advocate for serving families in the natural environment, developing and evaluating models for early intervention service delivery in home and childcare.

Michael “Pinball” Clemons

Born and raised in Florida, this William & Mary economics graduate began his career in the Canadian Football League in 1989 after a brief stint in the National Football League. Renowned as one of football’s most electrifying players, Clemons achieved a brilliant career, including a pro football record for most career combined yards with 25,438. Clemons played with the Argos for twelve seasons; his #31 jersey is one of only four that have been retired by the Argos. He retired with 12 all-time team records and three Grey Cups to his credit and then became Head Coach for the Toronto Argonauts. In this capacity he became the first and only Head Coach of colour to win the Grey Cup in 96 years. He is one of the CFL’s most famous players and also one of the most popular professional athletes in Canada. In 2008, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and in 2015 officially became a Canadian citizen.

Michael “Pinball” Clemons is an icon of sporting excellence, community leadership, personal character and integrity. He’s an author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and currently the vice-chair of the Toronto Argonauts. In 2005, Mike co-founded the Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation with the mission to inspire hope and empowerment through philanthropy while being a conduit for accountability. Mike’s proudest accomplishment is being the husband of Diane, and the father of his three daughters Rachel, Raven and Riley. Connie Kasari, Ph.D

Connie Kasari, Ph.D. is Professor of Human Development and Psychology at UCLA with a joint appointment in the Department of Psychiatry. She received her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was a NIMH postdoctoral fellow at the Neuropsychiatric Institute at UCLA. Since 1990 she has been on the faculty at UCLA where she teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses, and has been the primary advisor to more than 40 PhD students. She is a founding member of the Center for Autism Research and Treatment at UCLA. Her research projects include targeted interventions for early social communication development in at risk infants, toddlers and preschoolers with autism, and peer relationships for school aged children with autism. She is on the science advisory board of the Autism Speaks Foundation, and regularly presents to both academic and practitioner audiences locally, nationally and internationally.

Engaging autism: Developmental implications for interventions Social communication difficulties are at the core of autism spectrum disorders. Difficulties in this area affect relationships with others early in development, and often persist throughout life. This talk will address our current knowledge of the efficacy of early interventions addressing social communication impairment, focusing on the importance of considering development when delivering behavioral interventions.

Peer interventions for school aged children with ASD Social impairment has been identified as the most enduring issue for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), affecting their peer relationships, friendships, and general social interactions with others. Interventions developed to address this issue are of high priority particularly in the child’s real world environments such as school. This talk will describe a) what we know about children’s experiences at school, b) how to assess how well children are doing, and c) specific interventions for improving peer relationships.

Marsha Dunn Klein, Med, OTR/L

Marsha Dunn Klein, MEd, OTR/L, founder of Mealtime Notions LLC, is a pediatric occupational therapist, author and educator who specializes in eating and mealtime issues with infants and children. She has a private practice in Tucson, Arizona, Mealtime Connections, LLC (www.mealtimeconnections.com) with two other pediatric therapists. They evaluate and treat children who have feeding challenges. Her energies are focused on helping children who have special motor, sensory and mealtime challenges.

Marsha has over 44 years experience assessing, treating, and working in partnership with families of children who have cerebral palsy and other neurological issues, prematurity, sensory processing disorders, visual impairments, genetic and metabolic disorders, as well as autism. Marsha helps with the oral motor sensory, tube feeding aspect of feeding. Support is given through individual evaluation and treatment, education, parent and professional consultation, education workshops and resources. www.mealtimenotions.com

Wednesday Thursday Friday January 20th January 21st January 22nd 7:30 - 8:30 Registration Registration & Hot Breakfast Registration & Breakfast A – Connie Kasari: Peer Interventions Keynote Speaker: Keynote Speaker: 8:30 – 10:30 Temple Grandin Barry Prizant B – Juliann Woods: Routine Based Supports

10:30 – 11:00 Break & Snacks Break & Snacks Break & Snacks Continued Continued Continued 11:00 – 12:00 A – Connie Kasari Temple Grandin Barry Prizant B – Juliann Woods 12:00 – 1:00 LUNCH PROVIDED LUNCH PROVIDED LUNCH PROVIDED A - Marsha Dunn Klein: Continued Feeding issues in Autism 1:00 – 2:30 Medical Issues in ASD A – Connie Kasari B - Connie Kasari: B – Juliann Woods Engaging Autism 2:30 – 3:00 Break & Snacks Break & Snacks Break & Snacks Continued

A - Marsha Dunn Klein Final Keynote Speaker: 3:00 – 4:30 Panel Discussion B – Connie Kasari Michael “Pinball” Clemons

*tentative schedule - subject to change • Conference registrations are non-refundable; however a substitution may be made upon request by Jan 15 • For purchase order inquiries, please contact our office. • We will be sending out email confirmations of your registration with an electronic receipt. • Fax, mail, phone your registration, or simply fill out and e-mail the PDF available on the website. o Fax to (780) 484-9265, o Mail to 17451-103 Ave, Edmonton AB, T5S 1J4, o Call (780) 495-9235 o Register online www.childrensautism.ca

Saturday Post Conference Workshop

Marsha Dunn Klein: “Overview of the Get Permission Approach to Pediatric Feeding” Saturday January 23rd: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

“Get Permission” is an approach to mealtimes and feeding treatment which is based on the foundation of trust in a feeding relationship. It supports children who have sensory mealtime challenges in moving forward with mealtime goals with trust, enjoyment and confidence. It follows the child’s lead with creative and sensitive mealtime treatment strategies. This workshop is relationship based and focuses on children who have complicated sensory challenges including those who are very worried about the sensory aspects of feeding, and/or are on the autism spectrum. It supports an approach of getting oral sensory permission as a foundation to oral motor treatment. The workshop is filled with practical mealtime and treatment suggestions. *additional fee: $150

JOIN US FOR A 3-day EVENT filled with FUN & LEARNING!

• BREAKFAST, LUNCH, COFFEE, AND SNACKS INLCUDED • COILED CONFERENCE HANDBOOK PROVIDED WITH SPEAKER NOTES • VENDORS AND EXHIBITORS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE CONFERENCE • SENSORY SNACKS & FIDGET BASKETS TO ENHANCE YOUR REGULATION WHILE YOU LEARN • FABULOUS FOOD AND SERVICE AT THE MARRIOTT • TELEHEALTH & WEBCASTING available for some sessions

EDMONTON MARRIOTT AT RIVER CREE RESORT 300 East Lapotac Blvd · Enoch, Alberta (780) 484-2121 Once again we will be holding our conference at the beautiful Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Resort. Attendees must make their own arrangements for accommodations. A special room rate is available at the Marriott at River Cree Resort. A web link for booking will be provided by email.

All-In for Autism Charity Poker Tournament January 21st: River Cree Resort & Casino 7:15 pm

Are you feeling lucky? Join our no-limit Texas Hold ‘Em Charity Poker Tournament • Thursday evening at 7:15 pm. • $100 buy in • Space is limited • Fun for every level of player

Children’s Autism Gala: Soaring to Great Heights January 22nd: Edmonton Marriott River Cree 7:00 pm

Come and have fun with us at the Marriott River Cree to celebrate and support all families affected by autism. Show your support by attending this entertaining and engaging evening. We will have an incredible dinner, performances, a silent auction, and more! Join us for this special night out. Tickets: $125

**please contact our office if you are interested in discussing sponsorship opportunities.

CHECK OUT WWW.CHILDRENSAUTISM.CA OR CALL (780) 495-9235 FOR MORE INFO

2016 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM JANUARY 20th – 22nd 2016

ATTENDEE INFORMATION

FIRST NAME: LAST NAME: ORGANIZATION/SCHOOL: ADDRESS: CITY: PROV: POSTAL CODE: TELEPHONE: EXT: FAX: EMAIL ADDRESS:

(REQUIRED FOR SENDING REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION) HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT OUR CONFERENCE: REGISTRATION FEES AND SPEAKER SELECTION st Early Bird Registration (before December 1 ):

 FULL 3 DAY CONFERENCE PROFESSIONAL: $495 st  FULL 3 DAY CONFERENCE PARENT OR STUDENT: $449 Late Registration (after December 1 ):

 Temple Grandin – PROFESSIONAL: $160  FULL 3 DAY CONFERENCE PROFESSIONAL: $550

 Temple Grandin – PARENT OR STUDENT: $110  FULL 3 DAY CONFERENCE PARENT OR STUDENT: $495 Options to include:  POST CONFERENCE SAT FEEDING SESSION: $225  THURSDAY POKER TOURNAMENT: $100  GALA FOR AUTISM: $125

 POST CONFERENCE SAT FEEDING SESSION: $150

PAYMENT INFORMATION

 VISA  MASTERCARD  CHEQUE (PAYABLE TO CHILDREN'S AUTISM SERVICES OF EDMONTON)

CARD NUMBER: EXPIRY DATE: CARDHOLDER NAME (PRINT AND SIGN*): *BY PROVIDING THE ABOVE CREDIT CARD INFORMATION, I AUTHORIZE CHILDREN'S AUTISM SERVICES OF EDMONTON TO PROCESS PAYMENT FOR THIS CONFERENCE AND UNDERSTAND THAT CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NON-REFUNDABLE. If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, please make note of them here:

DONATION INFORMATION

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ONGOING EFFORTS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH YOUR DONATION.

 $25 SILVER  $50 GOLD  $100 PLATINUM ENTER ANOTHER AMOUNT:

FOR RECOGNITION PURPOSES, YOUR NAME WILL BE LISTED AS ABOVE or I PREFER THIS GIFT TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS.