We have applied for approval to offer Continuing Education Units under the sponsorship of Syracuse University's Center on Human Policy. If you are interested in earning CEUs, contact ANI for an update.

To register, print out the registration form, fill it out, and mail it with payment (including child care fees if applicable) to

Autism Network International
P. O. Box 448
Syracuse, NY 13210-0448

Document contents

The facility

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How this event will be different from other autism conferences

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Workshops

The Autism Community as a Neurological Diaspora: Some Cultural Parallels and Some Practical Responses -- Phil Schwarz

This workshop will examine the notion that the autism community is a diaspora. We will consider some definitions of the terms "autism community" and "diaspora", and look at some characteristics of more conventional (that is, more widely recognized) types of diaspora (ethnic, religious, linguistic, racial), and at some constructive community- and cultural-survival responses to diaspora conditions that various diaspora communities have developed. We will examine whether there are useful parallels between these and the autism community. If this workshop is successful beyond its facilitator's wildest dreams, we'll emerge with some goals and agenda items for the autism community that will strengthen us as a community.

Autistic people and those with related disabilities often have a difficult time getting and keeping jobs. A variety of approaches have been suggested such as specialized assistance with job seeking, vocational counseling, and supported employment. In this workshop we will (a) review the employment literature, discuss promising practices, and apply principles and practices to various situations. Participants will learn how to: (1) Identify vocational strengths and needs for themselves; (2) Translate strengths into saleable skills; (3) Find out what employers want and expect; (4) Get the appropriate accomodations and supports; (4) Play to one's strengths; and (5) Communicate effectively with employers and coworkers.

This will be a discussion of the ways in which we all share humour in the world (autistic and non-autistic alike) and of the unique ways in which persons with autism observe and understand jokes of various sorts and humorous situations. During the discussion we will look at the cognitive abilities necessary for the understanding of different types of humour and how this may present difficulties for persons with autism e.g., with sarcasm. We will also discuss how current societal perspectives on humour may lead to professional and familial ignorance regarding the ability of many autistic persons to enjoy humour. Finally, we will look at the personal and social health values of humour. Prior to Autreat, individuals planning to attend this workshop will be asked to bring something silly, or a picture or description of something silly, that they enjoy.

This discussion will cover some of the issues raised by the euthanasia movement and discuss how they are relevant to the disability rights movement in general and the autism community in particular.

The definition of Changeling lore, and how this lore applies to autistics and parents. Changeling lore is a means of self-identification for AC's. Changeling lore is a blameless explanation for parents.

This session will examine the insider perspective which currently dominates transition planning and processes. An overview of parent and young adult rights according to IDEA will be presented as well as suggestions for empowering young adults and parents for a more purposeful transition.

We will discuss the theory and practice of relationships involving a person on the autistic spectrum. Using examples from our marriage, we'll address issues of communication, trust, acceptance, support, humor, and so on.

Have you ever tried to deal with the kind of people who populate the world? If you have, you know it takes some skills.

Information about presenters

Bud Cooney is an assistant professor of special education at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. His research interests include creating schools as inclusive learning communities, and transition from high school to adult life. Previously, Bud worked in teaching capacities in both the elementary and secondary levels, working with a wide range of learners. Having a special interest in working with children and adolescents with autism, Bud teaches graduate courses and provides technical support to to parents and teachers in this area.

Dove has great familairity with the variety of "cousinness" known as ADD. Her involvement with autistic folks began in 1991, and shows no signs of ending any time soon.

Kim Duff is a 22-year-old University student pursuing an honors degree in Linguistics and Anthropology. Kim joined ANI-L in 1995 and was diagnosed high-functioning autistic in July 1998. She lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Cal Montgomery is a writer, speaker, and activist. She's a member of Not Dead Yet, a grass-roots disability rights movement opposing the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide on social-justice grounds. Her work has appeared in Mouth and the Ragged Edge, two magazines which focus on disability issues.

Marjorie F. Olney, Ph.D., is a faculty member within the Department of Community Health at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her areas of research and interest include autism and developmental disabilities, community integration, and approaches that maximize opportunities for people with disabilities (such as supported living, employment and education). Her current research involves discovering the strategies that people with various neurological disabilities call into play in social, vocational and academic situations.

Phil Schwarz has been a member of ANI since 1994, and attended Autreats 97 and 98 with his son Jeremy. Phil is a member of the board of directors of the Asperger's Association of New England. In his professional life as a software architect he does nothing particularly related to diaspora studies (though practitioners of APL, a programming language for which he has an inexplicable fondness, are arguably a diaspora :-)). However, in his personal life, there are some relevant connections: he's doubly involved in the autism community as an adult with a mild variant of AS, and as the father of a young boy with high-functioning autism; and he's an avid student of Jewish history and observer of Jewish community life. This is Phil's first time as an Autreat workshop presenter.

Mayer Shevin, (Ph.D. [Psycholinguistics], University of Rochester, 1976) is a private consultant focusing on facilitated communication, organizational change, and fostering circles of support. He consults directly with individuals seeking to progress toward personal goals despite their challenging behaviors, with their families, and with the agencies which support these individuals.

Bonnie Shoultz, M.A., is Associate Director of Syracuse University's Center on Human Policy and of the National Resource Center on Community Integration, both of which conduct research, engage in information dissemination and utilization on disability and community integration, and advocate for better systems and treatment of people with disabilities. She is also a parent who has many connections to the parent movement, and a long-time supporter of the self-advocacy movement. Her research interests have to do with parent empowerment, self-advocacy, and community support.

Jim Sinclair has been coordinator of ANI since its founding in 1992. In the autism world, Jim is a writer, an editor, and a consultant on autism and on service dogs for autistic people. In the NT world, Jim is a graduate student in rehabilitation counseling at Syracuse University. Bridging these two worlds, Jim has completed an internship working with students with autism and other developmental disabilities in the Syracuse City School District, and is currently an intern at the Center on Human Policy at Syracuse University.

Dave Spicer has been autistic a Very Long Time but only diagnosed since April 1994. Formerly a computer programmer, he is now a writer and a presenter at autism conerences and workshops.

Susan T. Solursh, M.A.Sc. (Psychology). I have autism, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and am visually impaired. I am currently working on my Ph.D. at the University of Waterloo, Canada. My studies involve autism and the related incidence of mental health concerns, especially depressive disorders. Additionally, I am studying for my Certificate in University Teaching. Current projects include involvement in the writing of an anthology of experiences with autism by persons with HFA/AS, and work on a project with adolecscent females discussing the issue of abuse of disabled girls and women. This is a community project designed to bring together teenagers from many cultural backgrounds, including the disabled community, to develop a theatrical presentation of the dangers presented to females in our society and how we may invoke our right to safety. Additionally, I am available for public speaking engagements.

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Certificate tracks

A special note about social interactions

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Registration fees

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Registration form

Autism Network International
P. O. Box 448
Syracuse, NY 13210-0448

We are still pursuing sponsorship possibilities to bring the fee down lower. If you are able to pay the full amount, or to get local sponsorship in your area to cover the full amount, this will allow ANI to use any donations for people who have no other way to attend. If you want to come and are unable to pay the registration, please contact ANI to see if funding is available. Contributions to our scholarship fund are most welcome.

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TO BE ADDED TO OUR LIST TO RECEIVE FINAL INFORMATION WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE, SEND A SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE TO

A.N.I. Conference Info.
P. O. Box 448
Syracuse, NY 13210-0448