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AUTISM CONFERENCE
THE SPEAKERS
DR. TEMPLE GRANDIN

“Calling All Minds”
Dr. Temple Grandin, a world-renowned autism spokesperson, scientist, and inventor, has served as an inspiration and role model to hundreds of thousands of families and persons with autism. In this unique presentation, Temple eloquently and candidly describes the challenges she has faced and offers glimpses into her own childhood, with ideas on how others dealing with autism can meet these obstacles and improve the quality of their lives. Backed by her personal experience and evidence-based research, Temple shares her valuable insights on all types of thinkers, why they are important, and ways in which young people can continue to think about and understand what it means to be innovative.
By attending, participants can:
- Create a learning environment to accommodate those who think differently
- Distinguish between voluntary behaviors and involuntary behaviors
- Identify ways of intervention for those newly diagnosed
- Review methods to assist the older child and Adult to form social relationships
(NOTE: Bibliography for Dr. Grandin’s presentation is available upon request at: bookstores@fhautism.com)
ANITA LESKO

Becoming an Autism Success Story
Anita Lesko was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at age fifty. Despite all the challenges and obstacles, Anita forged ahead to obtain exciting goals.
A 1988 graduate of Columbia University in New York City with a master of science degree in nurse anesthesia, Anita has nearly three decades as a certified nurse anesthesiologist, specializing in anesthesia for neurosurgery.
After seeing Top Gun in 1995, Anita spent the next seven years working towards her dream of flying in a fighter jet. She became an internationally published military aviation photojournalist and got a flight in an F-15. She also spent time with the world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
Having been honored by the United Nations as a guest speaker for National Autism Day in 2017, Anita is an advocate for people with Asperger’s Syndrome. She started a support group for people of all ages with Asperger’s and their families and friends, which meets monthly. Anita is on the Autism Society of America’s Panel of People on the Autism Spectrum. She is the Founder of the Flying High with Autism Foundation, as well as founder and CEO of Born With Asperger’s—an educational and helpful site not only for people with Asperger’s, but their families, employers, fellow employees, educators, neighbors, and anyone who might know someone with Asperger’s.
Her books include: Asperger’s Syndrome: When Life Hands you Lemons, Make Lemonade, The Blue Angel, co-author of Been There, Done That, Try This! The Aspie Mentor Guide to Life on Earth, a featured chapter in Dr. Temple Grandin’s book Different . . . Not Less, and Lesko’s latest book, The Complete Guide to Autism and Healthcare: Advice for Medical Professionals and Those on the Autism Spectrum.
- Discuss the importance of not focusing on a label
- Discuss methods to overcome obstacles and reach goals
- Define neuroplasticity and the significance of it
- Describe how elite athletes use visualization and how it can be applied to yourself
DR. RAUN MELMED, MD

Diagnosis and Treatment Through The Life Span
Dr. Raun Melmed is a developmental and behavioral pediatrician and Director of the Melmed Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is co-founder and Medical Director of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center. Dr. Melmed is on faculty at Arizona State University in Phoenix and Clinical Associate Professor of pediatrics at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
He is the author of Succeeding with Difficult Children; Autism: Early Intervention; Autism and the Extended Family; and a series of books on mindfulness in children, Marvin’s Monster Diary – ADHD Attacks, Timmy’s Monster Diary: Screen Time Attacks, Harriet’s Monster Diary – Anxiety Attacks, and soon to be released, Lyssa’s Monster Diary – Anger Attacks.
By attending, participants can:
- Describe the current diagnostic criteria (DSM 5) for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- Discuss the special healthcare needs of children with ASD
- Describe the elements of treatment necessary for children with ASD
- Discuss the impact that the diagnosis of ASD has on the family
DR. JIM BALL

Early Intervention and Autism
Dr. Jim Ball, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, has been in the autism field for over twenty years providing educational, residential, and employment services to children and adults affected by autism. As President/CEO of JB Autism Consulting,he provides private consultation to organizations, schools, and families regarding staff training, parent training, home support services, classroom design/support, and behavior management/ assessment.
By attending, participants can:
- Identify seven effective strategies for the perfect EI program
- Develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
- List the must-have components of an EI program
- Integrate social skills instruction into a curriculum
- And more
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
Completion requirements: Sessions must be attended in full. No partial sessions will be considered for credit. Resources/References for sessions will be provided upon request. Target audience: intermediate, professional
APA

Future Horizons is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Future Horizons maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
ASHA

This course is offered for up to 0.6 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area)
AOTA

Future Horizons is an American Occupational Therapy Association
(AOTA) approved provider of continuing education. This conference is offered for 0.6 AOTA CEUs, Intermediate level, professional. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
ASWB

Future Horizons ACE #1018 is approved as a provider for continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards ( ASWB) www.aswb.org., through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Future Horizons maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: 7/29/2018-7/29/2021. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 6 continuing education clock hours.
Future Horizons is dedicated to making its courses, events and meetings accessible to all. We strive to provide access – to the fullest extent possible – to our conferences based on an awareness of participants’ needs. If you require assistance due to a disability, please provide Future Horizons with the information and we will engage in a process to work with each individual to determine appropriate accommodations. Please click the below button to send your request for special accommodations or visit our contact us page.
SCHEDULE & MAP
April 12, 2019
Philadelphia, PA
Autism Conference Schedule:
TIME | EVENT |
7:00am | Registration & Continental Breakfast |
7:50 | Announcements |
8:00 – 8:45 | Dr. Temple Grandin – Methods of Creating A Learning Environment for Those Who Think Differently |
8:45 – 9:30 | Dr. Temple Grandin – Methods to Assist the Older Child and the Adult with Social Relationships |
9:30 | Break |
10:00 – 10:45 | Anita Lesko, BSN, RN, MS, CRNA – Methods to Overcome Obstacles and Reach Goals |
10:45 – 11:30 | Anita Lesko, BSN, RN, MS, CRNA – Neuroplasticity and Its Significance |
11:30 – 12:30 | Lunch on your own |
12:30 – 1:15 | Dr. Raun Melmed – Current Diagnostic Criteria (DSM 5) for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) |
1:15 – 2:00 | Dr. Raun Melmed – Special Healthcare Needs of Children with ASD |
2:00 | Break |
2:30 – 3:15 | Dr. Raun Melmed – Elements of Treatment Necessary for Children with ASD |
3:15 – 4:00 | Dr. Raun Melmed – Impact of Diagnosis of ASD on the Family |
4:00 | Conference Ends |
About the Venue:
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Meeting Room 201 ABC
1101 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Registration is Simple!
- Buy Online: Scroll down for ticket details
- Call in Registration: General booking and ASA Members please call this number for registration: +1 (800) 489-0727
- Print/Fax/Mail Registration: Unable to register online? Download our registration form to print and fax, or mail in with your payment.
- All Speaker Presentation handout materials are complimentary and will be sent via digital file one week before event.
Group discounts available for 5+ attendees
Discount Applied at Checkout
Registration Still Available
The online registration window has passed however tickets for the conference are still available.
Attendees will need to register on-site.
- days
- hours
- minutes
- seconds
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Professional$135
- Educators & Practitioners
- Group Discount Rate $108
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Family$120
- Parents & Family Members
- Group Discount Rate $96
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Student with ID$70
- College Student
- Group Discount Rate $56
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Person with ASD$50
- Person with ASD
- Group Discount Rate $40