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Demystifying Autism. A one- or two-day workshop designed to guide participants toward a greater understanding and a heightened awareness of those who have an autism spectrum experience---from a purely non-clinical, anecdotal perspective based upon what people are telling us about their experience. The Day One discussion lays the foundation of best practice approaches by presenting an overview of our collective differences and similarities in communication, social interaction, sensory, learning, and movement. A short film puts images to these philosophies, and provides further testimony from people who speak to their autistic experience. Participants will also experience two autism simulation exercises and will leave the day with seven golden rules of autism. Day Two is limited to 50 people, and provides participants with an opportunity to actively apply the philosophies shared the previous day to several scenarios based upon actual individuals and situations. The presenter will facilitate large and small group discussion as teams work together to brainstorm, strategize and surmise recommendations in addition to exploring unanswered questions about the situations with which they are presented. Formatted for CECs. (Note: Day One is mandatory before participation in Day Two. Day One may be presented singularly.) Asperger’s Syndrome Demystified. This one-day discussion about Asperger’s Syndrome (a "cousin" of autism) is designed to demystify those individuals who appear so highly skilled, but who have limitations that can exceed our expectations (and, frustratingly, their own). The presenter will speak from a non-clinical, anecdotal perspective related to perceptions and myths, and will explore adaptations and accommodations in supporting people with Asperger’s. Small group process work is included. Formatted for CECs. Facilitated Communication. This one-day discussion and training addresses one communication option for persons with autism, Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy, and other movement difference experiences. Independence in communication equals potential freedom and liberation. Often, we simply accept a person’s lack of---or limited---verbal speech as being "just the way they are." Many communication systems are limiting because they are programmed by others, and do not account for the boundless thoughts and feelings of an individual. Facilitated Communication (FC) offers boundless possibilities and is predicated upon trusting, safe relationships in order to build an individual’s confidence in initiating communication, enhanced by varying degrees of physical support. Participants will understand the philosophies that are the foundation for FC, in addition to experiencing a number of FC exercises with communication partners. Sorting Through Autism and Mental Illness. This one-day workshop enables participants to better distinguish actions typical of many folks with autism from the clinical manifestation of mental health symptoms. Too often, the existence of mental illness in people with autism is disregarded or discounted as being a function of the autistic experience, and people’s reputations are defined by their "behaviors." The presenter will explore wellness issues and will walk participants through the framework for mood disorders in people with developmental disabilities while further defining how such symptoms may manifest in persons with autism. Small group process work is included. Formatted for CECs. Keynotes: "Autism and the 90 Percent Factor: Building Authentic Relationships."
In supporting individuals with autism, it may be shown that 90 percent of the work has nothing to do with those individuals but, instead, involves decoding myth-understandings among families and caregivers. When persons with autism are perceived as our intellectual peers, unlimited possibilities await us. Autism author and self-advocate, William Stillman, and New Light, Inc. staff, via video testimony, share their inspiring and revolutionary anecdotes for building authentic relationships. "The World Needs Autism." In the context of this discussion, "autism" will be a metaphor to include many persons with developmental differences. The speaker will describe his perception of a global shift toward selfishness and competitiveness and how persons with disabilities hold the key to reverence and respect. "Autism and the God Connection." Do some highly sensitive individuals have a greater likelihood to be predisposed to both autism and spirituality? Author William Stillman (Autism and the God Connection, The Soul of Autism and The Autism Prophecies) explains this strong and uncommon potential. Once we look beyond labels and see past deceiving exteriors, we may recognize extraordinary accounts of spiritual giftedness. Stillman shares anecdotes from his research and tells how to enact three steps to strengthen relationships with persons with autism (and ourselves) on a spiritual level. Stillman also reveals the acute intuition that aids him in his work. Startling photographic evidence is included as part of this unique and unconventional presentation.
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