Easterseals Midwest Hosts Autism Conference Series in Columbia Nov. 14

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Nov. 7, 2018 - PRLog -- The Easterseals Midwest Autism Conference Series will continue in Columbia, Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Drury Plaza East. Designed for individuals, parents, educators, and professionals, the annual conference unites nationally recognized developmental disability and autism experts from around the country.

The keynote presenter is Karen Sohl, MD, FAAP, Associate Professor of Clinical Child Health at the University of Missouri, Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Vice Chair of the Child Health Department. Dr. Sohl is a pediatrician with extensive experience in medical diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of children with a concern of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She is the founder of Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Autism, an innovative framework to increase community capacity to care for children with autism and other developmental / behavioral concerns.

Dr. Sohl's presentation is how ECHO Autism is expanding and partnerships are forming to provide best practice autism care in rural and underserved communities. Sohl's presentation is from 8:40 – 9:50 a.m.

Conference workshops and presentations include:

·         Dr. Aaron Cunningham – Dr. Cunningham, a pediatric chiropractic physician who founded Keystone Chiropractic & Sensory Development Center in Columbia, will discuss how chiropractic, nutrition and sensory movement play a vital role in helping kids with sensory and autism concerns, while sharing education and tips on how to give kids a better quality of life without the use of medication.

·         Charity Goodwin – Charity, a mother of two boys with one who tested on the autism spectrum, is a The Daring Way Certified Facilitator, where she encourages and empowers people to implement the research of Brene Brown. During Charity's session, she will share strategies and techniques for caregivers to reduce stress, understand the importance of self-care, and learn ways to be present.

·         Karen Cooper – Karen works for Family Advocacy and Community Training (FACT), a non-profit, family-run organization in St. Charles, MO. FACT provides Education Advocacy Services and Parent Support Partners to families who have children with developmental disabilities and / or mental health diagnoses. Karen, a parent of an adult child on the autism spectrum, will conduct three workshops. The first offers a hands-on approach with activities and tools parents can use as an effective part of creating an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for their child while focusing on what the parents want their child to accomplish. The second workshop provides information about the parent's rights and child's rights when a child is disciplined and placed on an IEP. The third workshop provides an easy to use format that will guide parents with using strategies to build positive interactions and collaborative teams.

·         Nicholas Aether, MSPSY, BCBA, LBA; and Caitlin Silger, MSWABA Candidate and ABA Practicum Student – Nicholas is Co-Owner and CEO of Empowered: A Center for Sexuality, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than 6 years of experience in treatment of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Caitlin is a team member at Empowered. This candid discussion, which may be sensitive for some attendees, will cover a variety of topics about the transitional phases of sexuality many clients on the Autism Spectrum experience.

·         Drew Dziedzic – Drew, Chief of Staff for Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt, will discuss MO ABLE, an investment account introduced in 2017 for individuals that does not harm eligibility for public benefit programs.

·         Beth Orns, MSW, LCSW – Beth is the Manager for Patient and Family Support Services at the Missouri Psychiatric Center. Her workshop will review mental illnesses that most commonly co-occur with autism.

·         Christi Brown – Christi has spent nearly 20 years working at Boone County Family Resources. Her workshop will explore how parents and caregivers can help prepare and protect children from the pitfalls and unsavory aspects of the Internet with device settings, website resources and skills training to allow access with confidence and security.

Families receiving services from Easterlseals Midwest are eligible for 2 free tickets. $20 per additional family member or all community members.  Tickets are $80 for a professional to attend, and with a group of 5 or more, tickets are $70 per person. (For the group rate, please register by phone.)

The 2018 Easterseals Midwest Autism Conference Series is comprised of five conferences that are held throughout Missouri. A conference occurred in Springfield, Oct. 13, and Cape Girardeau, Nov. 1, with dates for upcoming conferences that include:

·         Nov. 14 -- Kansas City, MO

·         Nov. 16 – St. Louis

Media Contact: Ann Marie Mayuga, 314.485.9499, annmarie@ammcommunications.com

About Easterseals Midwest

Easterseals Midwest (http://www.easterseals.com/midwest) is a nonprofit organization changing the way the world defines and views disability by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day.  The organization employs nearly 2,000 employees delivering services to more than 4,800 individuals statewide through four divisions: Autism Services, Community Living Services, Early Childhood Services and Employment Services.