Rays of Hope for a Brighter Future WEDNESDAY APRIL 29 THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2015 MACON MARRIOTT CITY CENTER MACON, GA. Ga-AutismPlan.

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1 Rays of Hope for a Brighter Future WEDNESDAY APRIL 29 THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2015 MACON MARRIOTT CITY CENTER MACON, GA Ga-AutismPlan.com

2 Harrison Morgan Design harrisonmorgandesign.com DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT: GA-AUTISMPLAN.COM WEBSITE LOGO DESIGN: AUTISM PLAN FOR GEORGIA LOGO DESIGN GEORGIA AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO PROGRAM DESIGN AND ASSOCIATED ILLUSTRATIONS

3 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA 3 Table of Contents Welcome Letter 4 Exhibitor Map 5 Speaker Bios 6 Keynote Conversations 12 Wednesday Breakout Sessions-Early Intervention & Preschool Services 13 Wednesday Breakout Sessions-Family Support 14 Wednesday Breakout Sessions-Elementary & Secondary Education 15 Wednesday Breakout Sessions-Community Services & Supports 16 Wednesday Breakout Sessions-Adult Services & Supports 17 Conference Agenda Thursday Breakout Sessions-Referral & Diagnosis 20 Thursday Breakout Sessions-Early Identification and Screening 21 Thursday Breakout Sessions-Medical & Behavioral Health Services 22 Thursday Breakout Sessions-Transition from Youth to Adult Systems 23 Thursday Breakout Sessions-Emergency Preparedness & First Responders 24 Planning Committee Bios 25 Conference Sponsors & Exhibitors 29 Sponsors 30 Certificate of Attendance 33 Young Leader Travel Award 35

4 4 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA Autism Conference and Expo of Georgia On behalf of the Autism Advisory Council for the Autism Plan for Georgia (APG), it is my pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural Autism Conference and Expo of Georgia! We are excited that you have chosen to be part of what we hope will be only the first of what will be a major annual event. We are so excited about the very high level of interest in the conference. As I write this, we have more than 400 people registered to attend and are expectiing more. We think that this is a testimony to the remarkable collaboration of major organizations and community partners that have come together to implement the APG. The conference is organized around the 10 areas of the APG, which were developed with extensive stakeholder input over a two-year period with funding from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to Georgia State University. We have received another two years of funding to support full-scale implementation of the APG. As you review the conference agenda, you will see that it includes presentations by state and national leaders in autism services, research, advocacy, and policy it s a truly impressive group. We will have four large keynote conversations and 20 smaller breakout sessions to provide more in-depth opportunities for learning. We hope that the conference will foster conversation and coordinated efforts among families, self-advocates, professionals, researchers, autiusm advocacy organizations, and state agencies in Georgia. We are optimistic that the conference will fulfill two goals first, featuring some of the excellent work in Georgia that addresses the needs identified in the APG, and second, highlighting the areas for increased effort in the future. Implementation of the APG will not happen by itself; it needs your help. We hope that as you learn more about the APG, you will see some areas where you can get involved. It is truly a conference put on by the community for the community. On Wednesday evening, we will also take time to honor one of our own. Dr. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp of the CDC National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities will receive the first ever Georgia Autism Achievement Award in recognition of her pioneering work in autism epidemiology. Thank you for your committment to improving opportunities for those living with autism and related developmental disabilities and their families! Welcome! Daniel Crimmins, PhD Director for the Center for Leadership in Disability

5 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA 5 Main Level Ballroom Keynotes/Lunch D/E Escalator Elevator Restrooms Lobby Stairs Main Level Exhibitors Autism Plan for Georgia 6 Spring Brook Behavioral Health System 10 Special Needs Certified 2 Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency 7 Accelerations Educational Software 11 Autism Society of Georgia 3 Autism Speaks 8 Laurel Heights Hospital 12 American Academy of Pediatrics GA Chapter 4 Early Autism Project 9 Central Georgia Autism 13 Georgia Department of Public Health 5 Marcus Autism Center Sensory Safe Room Upper Level Elevator Restrooms Prefunction Space Stairs Upper Level Exhibitors Emory Autism Center 18 Therapy in a Bin 21 Emory Conte Center 15 Young Leader Travel Award Winner 19 UroMed 22 The Bridge of Georgia 16 Young Leader Travel Award Winner 20 Pathways Behavioral Consulting 23 CDC: National Center on Birth Defects 17 Animals Love Friendship and Developmental Disabilities

6 6 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA Conference Speakers Gregory Abowd, DPhil Founder and President, Atlanta Autism Consortium, Inc.; Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA Gregory D. Abowd (pronounced AY-bowd) is a Professor in the College of Computing at Georgia Tech. His research interests lie in the intersection between Software Engineering and Human-Computer Interaction. Specifically, Dr. Abowd is interested in ubiquitous computing (ubicomp) and the research issues involved in building and evaluating ubicomp applications that impact our everyday lives. In the College of Computing, he is involved in research with faculty from the GVU Center and the Georgia Tech Broadband Institute. Dr. Abowd directs the Ubiquitous Computing Research Group in the College of Computing and GVU Center. This effort started with the Future Computing Environments research group in 1995, and has since matured into a collection of research groups, including Dr. Abowd's own group. The FCE Group now consists of a federation of many faculty in the College of Computing. Scott Badesch President and Chief Executive Office, Autism Society of America (National Office), Bethesda, MD A father of a young adult with autism, Scott Badesch led his local Autism Society affiliate before joining the national office in 2010 as senior vice president of development and operations. He has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit organizations, particularly in fundraising, chapter outreach, advocacy and public policy, and transformation of organizations. Before joining the Autism Society national office, Mr. Badesch served as president and CEO of the Autism Society of North Carolina. Other experience includes 14 years as president and CEO of the United Way of Palm Beach County, and six years as president and CEO of the United Way of South Carolina. Mr. Badesch lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, and has four children. Scott Bales Vice-president, Atlanta Autism Consortium, Inc.; President of the Advocacy Benevolence Leadership Empowerment (ABLE), Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA Scott Bales is a native Georgian with deep family roots throughout the State. He was not correctly diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in his early forties. While working as a Georgia EPD Environmental Scientist / Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist, Scott also serves as the Atlanta Autism Consortium's Vice-President, on the State Advisory Panel for Special Education, on the Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities and Senior Adults, and on the Georgia Technology Authority's Georgia GIS Coordinating Committee as the Framework Committee Chair with the extra task of improving GIS supports for emergency and disaster management after last year's Snowmagedon. He previously served as an EPD Emergency Response Team Division Duty Officer, published a book chapter on GIS support for statewide emergency management in the 1996 book "Disaster Management in the U.S. and Canada", and as the State of Georgia's Y2K Emergency Coordinator on the Y2K Contingency Planning Management Team. Anna Bullard Community Outreach Director; Director of Early Advocacy, Early Autism Project Inc., Savannah, GA, Board of Directors, Autism Society of Georgia My mission is to ensure all children with autism spectrum disorder in the state of Georgia and in the United States have access to quality treatment. I am passionate about equality for mental health and advocate for insurance coverage, school based service, and community and job related services. I have lived in a small community most of my life and desire for all families to be stable and self-sufficient with the appropriate resources to do so whether they live in a metro area or rural south Georgia.

7 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA 7 Jason Cavin, MS, MA, LPC, BCBA Director of Behavior Supports and Consultation, Center for Leadership in Disability, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA Jason Cavin is a licensed professional counselor and board certified behavior analyst. Jason serves as the Director of Behavior Support and Consultation for the Center for Leadership in Disability. Jason works with individuals, families, agencies and school systems to assist with individualized positive behavior support initiatives, behavior support consultation, staff training and organizational development. Daniel Crimmins, PhD Director, Center for Leadership in Disability and Professor of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA Dr. Crimmins has an extensive background in program development in the area of disability, with a particular interest in issues that reflect the intersection of research, policy, and practice. His scholarly contributions have centered on autism and the assessment and interventions of behavior as communication in individuals with disabilities. He is a former Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow, serving on the staff of Senator Jim Jeffords in Dr. Crimmins is currently the president of AUCD, an organization of over 100 interdisciplinary university centers. Claire Dees Community Engagement Manager, Parent to Parent of Georgia, Atlanta, GA Claire is the Community Engagement Manager for Parent to Parent of Georgia, President of Spectrum Autism Support Group, Community Advisory Board member for Center for Leadership in Disability, Gwinnett Coalition of Health and Human Services Emergency Preparedness committee member, Disability Liason for Community Outreach for Perimeter Church. Mother of 3, one of who lived with autism and greatly defined my life, giving me a passion and purpose to help others with support, resources and education. Jean Estes, Esq Attorney, Advocates for Special Education, State of Georgia, Lawrenceville, GA Jean Estes is an attorney in private practice representing children with special needs and their parents in their quest to obtain appropriate services in Georgia schools. Jean has worked with families for over 23 years and is the mom of a 14-year-old student with disabilities. Austin Harris Self-advocate, currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice at Gwinnett Technical College Austin Harris is a certified and experienced Skywarn Storm Spotter, Ham radio operator, Community Emergency Response Team Instructor. He is currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice at Gwinnett Technical College and hopes to one day pursue an EMT certification and certification as a State of Georgia Emergency Manager. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Spirit of Autism with years of research and experience in emergency preparedness and as an adult with Autism. Lillie Huddleston, PhD Clinical Assistant Professor, Health Promotion and Behavior, Center for Leadership in Disability, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA Dr. Lillie Huddleston recently joined the research faculty at the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University. Her academic training is in the area of School Psychology. She comes to CLD from Emory University School of Medicine where she served as Director of Psychological Services for the Down syndrome and Fragile X clinics. Dr. Huddleston s current primary role at CLD is the coordination of the PBVS project. She also serves as a member of the evaluation team for the Autism Plan of Georgia.

8 8 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA Patricia Matthews, MD Parent of a child with Autism, WellStar Medical Group Pediatric & Adolescents Center, Smyrna, GA Dr. Tricia Matthews graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine in the class of She completed her residency at University of Florida - Shands Jacksonville She has worked as a Primary Care Pediatrician Wellstar Pediatric and Adolescent Center of Cobb in Smyrna, GA 2005-current. She is also an active Member of American Academy of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Board of Pediatrics. She is the Mother of child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Michael Morrier, PhD, BCBA-D Assistant Director for Early Childhood Programs, Emory Autism Center and Assistant Professor, Emory University, Atlanta, GA Dr. Michael J. Morrier is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Morrier has worked with children with autism and their families over 20 years. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Autism Society of America-Greater Georgia Chapter from , as both a Board Member and Executive Vice President. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Georgia s Division of Early Childhood, a state subdivision of the Council for Exceptional Children. Dr. Morrier has participated on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention s Autism Surveillance project as an expert clinical reviewer since Dr. Morrier is the co-author of several journal articles and book chapters on Autism and he serves on the editorial board for the International Journal of Education, and has guest reviewed for several leading journals and Autism Speaks. Janice Nodvin Executive Director and Clinical Director, Adult Disability Medical Home, Inc. (ADMH), Atlanta, GA Nodvin has over nine years experience as an educator and has worked extensively as a parent advocate for over thirty years. Along with her education degree, she has certification in care management in aging. She has supported and initiated numerous community programs in the areas of developmental disabilities. She serves on the Community Advisory Council of the Center on Learning for Disabilities and is active in disability awareness at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta and her synagogue. Her inspiration is her son, Evan, age 35 who has Down syndrome, who has held a job with the same company for over 14 years and lives independently. He serves as a self-advocate on the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. Allison O Hara, EdS, MS Behavioral Consultant and Therapist, Center for Leadership in Disability, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA Allison O Hara is a Behavior Specialist with the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University. She received her graduate degree in Professional Counseling, and has also worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for over 7 years. Allison currently serves over ten Georgia counties providing behavior consultation, parent training, clinical staff training, educational consultation, and direct therapy services for children, teens, and adults with developmental disorders. Donna M. Johnson Director, Child Health Projects, Office of Child Health, Maternal and Child Health, Georgia Department of Public Health, Atlanta, GA Ms. Johnson joined Georgia Department of Public Health as the Director of Child Health Projects in the Maternal and Child Health Section in April 2014 from Georgia State University, in the Center for Leadership in Disability. In her role as Child Health project director, she provides leadership for child health initiatives. In addition, she oversees grants and projects associated with state programs such as Babies Can t Wait - Early Intervention Services (IDEA: Part C), Children s Medical Services Program for Children with Special Health Care Needs, Children First Single point of entry for Child Health Services and Title V programs. Prior to joining the Georgia Department of Public Health, Ms. Johnson served as the coordinator and co-author of the Autism Plan for Georgia at the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University. In this role she coordinated the development of an interdisciplinary system of care for children with autism and their families. She is a wife and mother of three children, one of which has special health care needs.

9 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA 9 Rachel Patterson, MPA Disability and Sibling advocate; Director of Public Policy, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, Washington DC Before taking her position as Director of Public Policy at the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, Rachel was the Policy Manager at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities where she focuses primarily on health and long-term services & supports policy. She leads AUCD s Health Reform Implementation Workgroup and is a co-chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Health and Long-Term Services & Supports Task Forces. Prior to joining AUCD she was a research assistant at the Burton Blatt Institute in Syracuse, NY. She received a Master's degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a BA in Politics from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. She has a sister with intellectual and developmental disabilities who lives in the Seattle area. Mitzi Proffitt Regional Manager, Parent to Parent of Georgia; Chair for the State, Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, Brooklet, GA Mitzi Proffitt is a Regional Manager where she has been employed since In 2013 Mitzi was appointed to the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities by Governor Nathan Deal. She was elected chairperson by the members that same year. What is most important in Mitzi s life is her son Joshua who recently turned 20 years old and her husband Jack. All of her professional and volunteer efforts have been focused on making sure that Joshua lives as meaningful a life as any other individual in the Statesboro community. Debbie Reagin, EdD Education Program Specialist, Georgia Department of Education, Atlanta, GA Debbie Reagin is the Autism and Intellectual Disabilities Program Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education. She has worked in the field of Special Education in Georgia for over 40 years as a teacher, diagnostician, supervisor and Special Ed Director. Debbie has worked in DeKalb, Cobb, and Marietta City School Districts and is very excited about the progress that has been made in providing services for ALL students with disabilities, especially for students with autism. We have come a long way, and will continue to grow by working collaboratively with agencies represented in the Autism Plan for Georgia! Cheryl Rhodes, MS, LMFT Director, Case Management, Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta, GA Cheryl Rhodes, M.S., LMFT is a Fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. Prior to joining the CDC, she was a Project Director in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at Georgia State University. She has extensive experience with early intervention and developmental disabilities, with a particular interest in families of children with disabilities including siblings and grandparent caregivers. She is co-author of Brothers and Sisters: A Special Part of Exceptional Families and several journal articles. Cathy Rice, PhD Director, Emory Autism Center; Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta GA Catherine (Cathy) Rice, PhD is a licensed psychologist in GA, Director of the Emory Autism Center, and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University. She has worked as a teacher, researcher, consultant, and diagnostician with people with autism, their families, and community professionals for over 20 years. For over a decade, she was the principal investigator for CDC`s network of prevalence sites in the US. She is on the Board of the Atlanta Autism Consortium and for several national and international organizations. Dr. Rice was the Autism Society Professional of the Year in 2008 and is interested in facilitating capacity to support people with autism in GA.

10 10 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA Scott Robertson Self Advocate; Co-Founder of the Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a nonprofit organization run by and for Autistic people ; Ph.D student in Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State University, Washington, DC Scott Michael Robertson, PhD, an autistic adult, works as a disability policy consultant, a public speaker on disability issues, and a disability researcher. Dr. Robertson served as the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation's 2014 Public Policy Fellow at the U.S. Senate. He worked on disability legislation and policy issues for Senator Tom Harkin at the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). In 2013, Dr. Robertson completed his PhD in information sciences and technology at Penn State University after investigating cyber- and face-to-face bullying victimization of autistic youth for his dissertation research. He serves as an appointed expert/consultant on the Communications and Video Programming Subcommittees of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Disability Advisory Committee. Diana Robins, PhD Associate Professor, AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Diana L. Robins, Ph.D. is an associate professor at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute, where she also leads the Program Area in Early Detection and Intervention for ASD. She completed her doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Connecticut, and her postdoctoral fellowship at the Yale University School of Medicine Child Study Center. Much of her work has centered around developing, validating, and refining a widely used screening tool for ASD, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). Roy Sanders, MD Psychiatrist, Decatur Family Psychiatry, Decatur, GA Like everyone, I have experienced joys and love. I have also experienced pain and loss. I am extremely blessed to have a loving family. I have struggled with my own demons. My father died suddenly when both he and I were young. My oldest son was diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability when he was a toddler. My mother was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia two years ago and currently lives with our family. Through all the good and not so good I have learned lessons about what to try that might help and what to avoid. Every day, we all valiantly struggle to live and learn another day. What I have learned is that the choice of life, love and commitment is ours to make. My father taught me before his death that I always have a choice. I can choose to affect the world and create my place in it or I can allow the world to create a place for me. I choose to affect the world. I am honored by those who allow me to be part of their journey to affect their worlds. Celine Saulnier, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University; Clinical Director for Research, Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta, GA Celine Saulnier, Ph.D., is the Clinical Director for Research at the Marcus Autism Center and Assistant Professor in the Division of Autism and Related Disorders, Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. She obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Connecticut, after which she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center before joining their faculty. She relocated from Yale to Emory in 2011 when Dr. Ami Klin took over the directorship of the Marcus Autism Center. Dr. Saulnier specializes in detection and diagnosis of autism and related disorders from infancy through adulthood. Camille Smith, MS, EdS Behavioral Scientist, Prevention Research Branch, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA D. Camille Smith, M.S.,Ed.S. is an Educational Psychologist with the Learn the Signs Act Early Campaign, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. She is currently working on a program that aims to increase early identification of children with developmental delay by improving parents awareness of early development, the importance of monitoring development and increasing healthcare and childcare provider awareness of the importance of developmental screening. Her research interests include the study of caregiver/child interactions, improving child developmental outcomes through programs designed to influence parenting behavior. She is co-author of the Essential Package of Health and Developmental Services -an intervention that holistically addresses the needs of young vulnerable children and their caregivers affected by HIV and AIDS.

11 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA 11 Jennifer Stapel-Wax, PsyD Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine; Director, Infant and Toddler Clinical Research Operations, Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta, GA Dr. Jennifer Stapel-Wax is an Associate Professor in the Division of Autism and Related Disorders in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. She is also the Director of Infant and Toddler Clinical Research Operations at the Marcus Autism Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Her current focus on the research team is to both participate in research on infants and toddlers at risk for autism spectrum disorders centered at the Marcus Autism Center and direct efforts and projects for infants and toddlers in the community and in public policy. Miyah Sundermeyer Self-Advocate; Center for Leadership in Disability and Professor of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA Miyah Sundermeyer was born and spent 21 years in Minnesota before migrating to Atlanta, GA in She was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Delay in 1993 at age 11. Upon moving to Atlanta it was determined by a team at the Autism Center that she had Asperger s Syndrome. Although society has tried to underestimate what Miyah can or cannot do she was able to fight to live independently and receive an education. She currently has an associate degree in psychology and works for the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University. Debi Taylor Autism Specialist, Founder of Spirit of Autism, Inc. ( Training for emergency Responders ) and co-founder/active member of the Fire Rescue Reserve, Atlanta, GA Debi comes from a long line of Emergency Responders. Her experience as an Autism Specialist, Founder of Spirit of Autism, co-founder/active member of the Fire Rescue Reserve and now and EMT inspired her to create Autism training programs aimed at keeping Emergency Responders and Autistic individuals safe on the scene of a crime, fire, medical call or disaster. She attained continuing education credit codes on a state level for Law Enforcement (GA POST) and EMS (CEU Code Awarded). Ninetta Violante Captain, City of Decatur Fire Department Captain Ninetta Violante has been with the City of Decatur Fire Dept for almost 15 years. She has worked with many types of children and families with special needs and has a child with Down syndrome, who is 8 and never sleeps and is nonverbal. She has a double undergraduate in anthropology and English from Emory, as well as her masters in public health policy from Rollins School of Public Health. She has analyzed health care systems all over the world such as Cuba, Kenya, Japan, and Europe. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, MD Medical Epidemiologist and Chief, Developmental Disabilities Branch, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, MD, is a Medical Epidemiologist and Chief of the Developmental Disabilities Branch. Dr. Yeargin-Allsopp joined CDC in 1981 as an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer and completed a Preventive Medicine Residency in Since coming to CDC, she designed and implemented the first U.S. population-based study of developmental disabilities in school-age children, which laid the foundation for the current methods employed by the ADDM network. Dr. Yeargin-Allsopp received her MD from Emory University and is board-certified in Pediatrics and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. She has served as the CDC liaison to the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Children with Disabilities and has published extensively on the epidemiology of developmental disabilities. She maintains her clinical experience as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Emory University School of Medicine and is the medical director of the Clayton Early Intervention Program in metropolitan Atlanta.

12 12 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA Keynote Conversations This conference is a significant milestone in our state in that it reflects a collaborative effort of many advocacy groups, academic programs committed to working with people with autism, the Atlanta Autism Consortium, the state agencies, and the CDC. The conference offers a platform for many stakeholders, often with differing perspectives, to speak to each other about pertinent issues in our community and share the common goal of improving what we know we can agree upon the Autism Plan for Georgia. For this reason, the conference Planning Committee has designed the Keynote Conversations format for sharing and discussion. Daniel Crimmins, PhD, author of the Autism Plan for Georgia, will serve as the facilitator for all four conversations. At the first three Keynote Conversations -- State, Nation, and Research each of the three speakers will share the most important elements of their work, and follow with a discussion of what is to come in Georgia. The fourth conversation, Closing Keynote, will be a formal keynote presentation followed by questions from the audience. State of the State Wednesday, 4/29 10:15 11:15 Main Level Ballroom Jennifer Stapel-Wax, Psy.D., Donna Johnson, and Anna Bullard, key Autism Advisory Council members and leaders in Georgia, will discuss significant projects and programs that are enhancing the implementation of the Autism Plan for Georgia. State of the Nation Wednesday, 4/29 1:30 2:30 Main Level Ballroom Dr. Crimmins will lead a conversation about national initiative with experts in the following areas: Scott Robertson will discuss will highlight broad trends in the self-advocacy movement,. Rachel Patterson will highlight her policy work in disability and her identity as a sibling of an individual with autism. Scott Badesch will highlight the national trends in autism services and supports. Highlights of Break-Outs Wednesday, 4/29 4:00 5:00 Upper Level 309 Gregory Abowd, Rachel Patterson and Scott Robertson, along with other presenters, will highlight some of the conversations that took place during Break-Out sessions. State of the Research Thursday, 4/30 9:00 10:15 Main Level Ballroom Cathy Rice, Ph.D., Celine Saulnier, Ph.D., Diana Robins, Ph.D, leading researchers in the field of autism and developmental disorders, will highlight research initiatives that support the implementation of the Autism Plan for Georgia and highlight some surprising national connections to Georgia projects. Closing Keynote Thursday, 4/30 1:45 2:30 Main Level Ballroom Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, M.D., from the CDC s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, will provide an overview of what has been, what is now, and what is on the horizon related to autism in Georgia.

13 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA 13 Wednesday, April 29 Early Intervention & Preschool Services Breakout Details Autism Plan for Georgia Definition Early Intervention services provide families of children with developmental disabilities (including autism) between birth and age three with services to enhance development; these are guided by an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and are coordinated through Babies Can t Wait in Georgia. Preschool Services are the services and supports provided to children with developmental disabilities (including autism) between three and five; these are guided by an Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed to fulfill the mandate for a free and appropriate public education and are coordinated through the local school district. APG Implementation Quality Indicators QI 1: Children with autism receive services appropriate for their needs. That is, services are provided by competent providers, with the frequency, duration, and fidelity needed to be effective. QI 2: Professionals and parents work together in planning the transition from an IFSP in Babies Can t Wait to an IEP in preschool. QI 3: The IEP identifies the services and supports that meet the child s specific needs in the least restrictive environment, including the consideration of assistive technology and positive behavior supports. Presenters, Time & Location Wednesday, April 29 11:30pm 12:30pm Upper Level 309 Jennifer Stapel-Wax, PsyD Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine; Director, Infant and Toddler Clinical Research Operations, Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta, GA APG Quality Indicator addressed: QI 1 Early Autism Intervention: Clinical Practice, Professional Training, and Community Viable Solutions Dr. Stapel-Wax will address the current state of early intervention and introduce a variety of early intervention techniques and services for young children. She will review initiatives to increase provider knowledge, skills, and practices that are effective and community viable for young children, with emphasis on children 0-3 years of age. Her talk will review issues with early intervention and how the Marcus Autism Center is addressing these issues in a community viable way. Wednesday, April 29 2:45pm 3:45pm Upper Level 309 Michael Morrier, PhD, BCBA-D Assistant Director for Early Childhood Programs, Emory Autism Center and Assistant Professor, Emory University, Atlanta, GA APG Quality addressed: QI 1 Current Early Treatment and Educational Services for Autism Spectrum Disorder Ages 0-5 This presentation will review current best practices for early treatment and educational services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ages birth through 5 years. Review of data on key features of recommended early treatment and educational services for children with ASD as well as what is currently available to families will be described. Recommendations for effective treatment will be reviewed.

14 14 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA Family Support Breakout Details Autism Plan for Georgia (APG) Definition Wednesday, April 29 Family Support refers to the services and supports, both formal and informal, that help to enhance a family s ability to thrive while caring for and supporting a child with autism. APG Implementation Quality Indicators QI 1: Families have access to comprehensive, flexible, and family-centered supports, such as support groups, parent training and education, respite, and after-school care. QI 2: Supports reflect family culture, needs, values, and preferences. QI 3: Family supports assist the family in accessing both formal and informal supports in the broader community. Presnters, Time & Location Wednesday, April 29 11:30pm 12:30p Upper Level 303 Claire Dees Community Engagement Manager, Parent to Parent of Georgia, Atlanta, GA APG Quality Indicators addressed: QI 1, 2, & 3 Are We Having Fun Yet Strategies for creating meaningful and happy lives using supports and resources in your community. And, yes, it can be fun! Wednesday, April 29 2:45pm 3:45pm Upper Level 303 Cheryl Rhodes, MS, LMFT Director, Case Management, Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta, GA APG Quality Indicator addressed: QI 1 Recipes for Success: Essential Ingredients of Family Support This session will review recommendations of essential services and supports for families of children with ASD that promote individual and family well-being across the lifespan. Drawing on research and family experiences, we will discuss the questions, Is there a recipe for successful family support? and if so, How can we assure that communities offer the right 'ingredients'?

15 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA 15 Wednesday, April 29 Elementary & Secondary Education Breakout Details Autism Plan for Georgia (APG) Definition Elementary & Secondary Education refers to services and supports provided to children, youth, and young adults with autism; these are guided by an Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed to fulfill the mandate for a free and appropriate public education and are coordinated through the local school district. APG Implementation Quality Indicators QI 1: Children with autism receive educational supports that maximize their potential. QI 2: Teaching methods address the unique needs of each student with autism while recognizing the student s strengths and interests. Methods vary based on age and developmental appropriateness. Instruction may, therefore, be delivered individually or in small groups, as well as be embedded into natural routines and large groups. QI 3: Instruction focuses on improving functional communication, socialization, and self-regulation skills, in addition to learning the general curriculum. Presenters, Time & Location Wednesday, April 29 11:30pm 12:30pm Upper Level 306 Debbie Reagin, EdD Education Program Specialist, Georgia Department of Education, Atlanta, GA APG Quality Indicators addressed: QI 1 & 2 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: An Overview Debbie Reagin, Autism and Intellectual Disabilities Program Specialist from the Georgia Department of Education will review the key provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Federal legislation that ensures that all children with disabilities have available to them a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities, and to prepare them for further education, employment and independent living. Wednesday, April 29 2:45pm 3:45pm Upper Level 306 Jean Estes, Esq Attorney, Advocates for Special Education, State of Georgia, Lawrenceville, GA Mitzi Proffitt Regional Manager, Parent to Parent of Georgia, Brooklet, GA; Chair for the State, Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities APG Quality Indicators addressed: QI 1 A Parent/Lawyer Conversation Jean, Special Education lawyer, and Mitzi, Chair of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, both are mothers of young men with disabilities who strive to build skills through their IEP to support their life in the community. They will share their stories and strategies to support their children in achieving success.

16 16 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA Wednesday, April 29 Community Services & Supports Breakout Details Autism Plan for Georgia (APG) Definition Community Services & Supports promote independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion into the community for children, youth and adults with autism. APG Implementation Quality Indicators QI 1: Children, youth, and adults with autism and their families have access to services and supports that promote safety, learning, and independence at home. Examples include in-home behavior supports, affordable child care, and home instruction in self-help skills. QI 2: Children, youth, and adults with autism and their families have access to services and supports that promote safety, learning, and independence in the community. Examples include recreational opportunities and camps. QI 3: Professional programs link with community agencies to assist families to access supports and services needed by families of children with autism, including affordable childcare. Presenters, Time & Location Wednesday, April 29 11:30pm 12:30pm Upper Level 308 Allison O Hara, EdS, MS Behavioral Consultant and Therapist, Center for Leadership in Disability and Professor of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA APG Quality Indicators addressed: QI 2 Using Visual Supports to Help Increase Independence in Children with ASD This presentation will equip attendees with instructional strategies to boost independence in children with ASD as they access community settings. Much focus will be given to the use of visual aids and schedules as supportive tools. Attendees will learn both child-directed and community-directed strategies to promote child safety and functioning so that inclusion within community settings may be maximized. Wednesday, April 29 2:45pm 3:45pm Upper Level 308 Lillie Huddleston, PhD Clinical Assistant Professor, Health Promotion and Behavior, Center for Leadership in Disability, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. APG Quality Indicators addressed: QI 1 & 3 Positive Behavior and Visual Supports Project for Children and Families in Babies Can t Wait The Positive Behavior and Visual Supports (PBVS) project was designed as a 5-session home-based program to complement services provided by Babies Can t Wait. This presentation will cover an overview and discussion of project goals and objectives. Attendees will be informed of the current progress of the implementation of the PBVS across the state of Georgia. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of preliminary outcomes and future directions for the project.

17 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA 17 Wednesday, April 29 Adult Services & Supports Breakout Details Autism Plan for Georgia (APG) Definition Adult Services & Supports promote independence, productivity, citizenship, and inclusion into the community for adults with autism over the age of 21. APG Implementation Quality Indicators QI 1: Adults with autism in Georgia are able to support themselves and achieve conventional markers of adulthood. QI 2: Residential supports and housing are accessible and available to adults with autism. QI 3: Adults with complex needs receive appropriate services, provided by competent providers, with the frequency, duration, and fidelity needed to be effective. Presenters,Time & Location Wednesday, April 29 11:30pm 12:30pm Main Level Ballroom D & E Jason Cavin, MS, MA, LPC, BCBA Director of Behavior Supports and Consultation, Center for Leadership in Disability, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA APG Quality Indicators addressed: QI 3 Supporting independence, productivity and inclusion through the use of positive behavior supports. This presentation will focus on providing participants with the tools needed to better promote independence, productivity and inclusion of adults with autism spectrum disorders. The presenter will use a combination of discussion and interactive exercises to walk participants through the use of positive behavior supports as a process for better supporting others in achieving their life goals. Wednesday, April 29 2:45pm 3:45pm Main Level Ballroom D & E Adult Panel: Miyah Sundermeyer Self-Advocate; Center for Leadership in Disability and Professor of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA Scott Bales Vice-president, Atlanta Autism Consortium, Inc.; President of the Advocacy Benevolence Leadership Empowerment (ABLE); Master student in Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. Scott Robertson Self-Advocate; Co-Founder of the Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a nonprofit organization run by and for Autistic people ; PhD student in Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State University APG Quality Indicators addressed: QI 1 & 2 A panel of young adults with autism will share their life experiences in achieving the conventional markers of adulthood.

18 9:00a 5:00p 9:00a 10:00a 10:00a 10:15a 10:15a 11:15a Wednesday April 29 EXPOSITION OPENS Registration and Coffee (Ballroom A) CONFERENCE WELCOME Conference Planning Committee State of the State Keynote Conversation (Ballroom) Jennifer Stapel-Wax, PsyD - Marcus Autism Center Donna Johnson - Georgia Department of Public Health Anna Bullard - Early Autism Project Inc. Facilitator: Daniel Crimmins, PhD, Center for Leadership in Disability, GSU 18 11:15a 11:30a Tracks/Stands 11:30a 12:30p 12:30p 1:30p 1:30p 2:30p Tracks/Stands 2:45p 3:45p 4:00p 5:00p Early Intervention & Pre School Early Autism Intervention: Clinical Practice, Professional Training, and Community Viable Solutions Jennifer Stapel-Wax, PsyD Marcus Autism Center Early Intervention & Pre School Current Early Treatment & Educational Services Michael Morrier, PhD Emory Autism Center Family Support Strategies for Creating Meaningful and Happy Lives Claire Dees Parent to Parent of Georgia Networking Break & Exposition Elementary & Secondary Education Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: An Overview Debbie Reagin EdD Georgia Department of Education Networking Lunch (Ballroom A / Keynote Area) & Exposition Community Services & Supports Using Visual Supports to Help Increase Independence in Children with ASD Allison O Hara, EdS, MS Center for Leadership in Disability, GSU State of the State Keynote Conversation (Ballroom) Scott Badesch - Autism Society of America (National Office) Rachel Patterson, MPA - Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Scott Robertson - Co-Founder of the Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) Facilitator: Daniel Crimmins, PhD, Center for Leadership in Disability, GSU Family Support Recipes for Success: Essential Ingredients of Family Support Cheryl Rhodes, MS, LMFT Marcus Autism Center Elementary & Secondary Education A Parent/Lawyer Conversation Jean Estes, Esq. Advocates for Special Education & Mitzi Proffitt Parent to Parent of Georgia Community Services & Supports Positive Behavior and Visual Supports Project Lillie Huddleston, PhD Center for Leadership in Disability, GSU Highlights of Break-Out Sessions (Upper Level 309) Facilitated Conversation with: Gregory Abowd, D Phil - Atlanta Autism Consortium, Inc. Rachel Patterson, MPA - Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Scott Robertson - Co-Founder of the Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) Highlight Conversation hosted by the Atlanta Autism Consortium Adult Services & Supports Upper Level 309 Upper Level 303 Upper Level 306 Upper Level 308 Main Level D & E Supporting Independence, Productivity and Inclusion Through the Use of Positive Behavior Supports Jason Cavin, MS, MA, LPC, BCBA Center for Leadership in Disability, GSU Adult Services & Supports Upper Level 309 Upper Level 303 Upper Level 306 Upper Level 308 Main Level D & E Adult Self-Advocate Panel Miyah Sundermeyer, Scott Bales & Scott Robertson, Ph.D. Facilitated by: Rachel Patterson

19 5:00p 6:30p 6:30p 9:00p Networking Break with Snack (Ballroom A / Keynote area) & Exposition AUTISM PLAN FOR GEORGIA AWARDS DINNER (Ballroom) Master of Ceremonies: Kelly Ingram Autism Achievement Award Winner: Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, MD Thursday April 30 8:30a 9:00a 9:00a 10:15a Networking Coffee and Breakfast (Ballroom A / Keynote area) State of the Research Keynote Conversation (Ballroom) Celine Saulnier - Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta, GA Cathy Rice - Emory Autism Center Diana Robins - AJ Drexel Autism Institute Facilitator: Daniel Crimmins, PhD, Center for Leadership in Disability, GSU 10:15a 10:30a Tracks/Stands 10:30a 11:30a 11:30a 12:30p Tracks/Stands 12:30p 1:30p 1:45p 2:30p Referral & Diagnosis Referral & Diagnosis Early Identification & Screening Networking & Exposition Medical & Behavioral Health Networking Lunch & Exposition Transition from Youth to Adult Transition from Youth to Adult Emergency Preparedness Upper Level 309 Upper Level 303 Upper Level 306 Upper Level 308 Main Level D & E Conducting Comprehensive Evaluations for the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders Celine Saulnier, PhD Marcus Autism Center Early Identification in Community Settings: Cathy Rice, PhD Emory Autism Center Standardized Screening Facilitates Early Detection Diana Robins, PhD AJ Drexel Autism Institute Early Identification & Screening Learn the Signs, Act Early (LTSAE) Camille Smith, EdS Prevention Research Branch, NCBDDD, Center for Disease Control Autism and the Medical Home: Visiting the Pediatrician From the Eyes of a Parent Patricia Matthews, MD WellStar Medical Group Pediatric & Adolescents Center Medical & Behavioral Health Psychoactive Medications Use in ASD Roy Sanders, MD Decatur Family Psychiatry Sexuality-Issues for People Living with ASD Roy Sanders, MD Decatur Family Psychiatry A Medical Home is Not a House, but Everyone Needs One Janice Nodvin Adult Disability Medical Home, Inc. PRACTICAL Information About 1st Responders Debbie Taylor & Austin Harris Spirit of Autism, Inc. and Fire Rescue Reserve Emergency Preparedness Upper Level 309 Upper Level 303 Upper Level 306 Upper Level 308 Main Level D & E CLOSING KEYNOTE (Ballroom) Marshlyn Yeargin-Allsopp, MD National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA Facilitator: Daniel Crimmins, PhD, Center for Leadership in Disability, GSU A Spectrum of Emergency Preparedness Ninetta Violante Captain, City of Decatur Fire Department 2:30p 4:00p Networking Break with Snack (Ballroom A / Keynote area) & Exposition 19

20 20 AUTISM CONFERENCE & EXPO OF GEORGIA Thursday, April 30 Referral & Diagnosis Breakout Details Autism Plan for Georgia (APG) Definition Referral is a recommendation that a child, who has been screened through a standardized developmental or autism-specific assessment, be further evaluated by a professional qualified to determine a diagnosis and/or eligibility for services. Diagnosis is based on the assessment of an individual using the criteria in the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) developed by the American Psychiatric Association. APG Implementation Quality Indicators QI 1: Families have a range of referral options so that children with disabilities may receive timely and appropriate evaluations. QI 2: Autism is best evaluated by a team of knowledgeable professionals using validated methods that identify both the needs and strengths of the child, and can differentially diagnose autism from other developmental concerns. QI 3: Children and families from all racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds have access to culturally competent services relating to referral, evaluation, and diagnosis. Presenters, Time & Location Thursday, April 30 10:30am 11:30pm Upper Level 309 Celine Saulnier, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University; Clinical Director for Research, Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta, GA APG Quality Indicators addressed: QI 2 & 3 Conducting Comprehensive Evaluations for the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders This workshop will provide an overview of the need for conducting comprehensive and multidisciplinary evaluations for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. Components will include discussion of the clinical features of ASD, how to assess developmental, cognitive, diagnostic, speech, language, communication, and behavioral profiles, and how this information can be used to inform treatment and intervention. Cultural diversity aspects will be discussed, including the role of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status in access to care. Thursday, April 30 12:30pm 1:30pm Upper Level 309 Cathy Rice, PhD Director, Emory Autism Center; Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA APG Quality Indicators addressed: QI 1 Early Identification in Community Settings: Developmental Monitoring, Screening, and Assessment This presentation will review the process of early identification of developmental concerns and signs of autism in the first few years of life. Information on next steps for referral, assessment, and needs for increasing assessment and services support in Georgia will be discussed.