Third Annual UJA-Federation of New York Autism Symposium
Organized in Collaboration With The Hilibrand Foundation
The 3rd annual UJA-Federation of New York Hilibrand Autism Symposium registration is closed. If you have not already registered, we invite you to join the symposium via connecting to the webinar. On April 22nd, 2010, beginning at 9:00 a.m. eastern time, visit: http://www.livestream.com/autismsymposium.
Program
8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast and Registration
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
9:15 - 10:00 a.m. Guest Speaker
Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, M.D. - Epidemiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Science, New Findings, and Implications for Services for Young Adults
Dr. Yeargin-Allsopp, medical epidemiologist and chief of the developmental disabilities branch of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will open the conference by providing information on the most recent autism spectrum disorders (ASD) prevalence statistics provided by the federal government. She will review the national estimates of the prevalence rates of ASD, including the newly released ASD findings from the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disability Monitoring Network. She will also speak about the increased need for services for young adults and how the rates affect communal planning.
10:00 - 10:50 a.m. Keynote Address
Fred R. Volkmar, M.D. - The Changing Face of Autism: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities in Working With Young Adults
Dr. Volkmar, director of the Yale Child Study Center, Irving B. Harris professor of child psychiatry, pediatrics, and psychology at the Yale University School of Medicine, and chief of child psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and author of A Practical Guide to Autism, will deliver the keynote address. He will focus on the advances in early detection and treatment in autism that have yielded important outcomes as teens emerge into young adulthood. As young adults with autism enter college, the workforce, and independent living arrangements, new models of services and supports are necessary to promote successful transitions. He will present on best practices in supporting the young adult population.
10:50 - 11:20 a.m. Question and Answer Session With Dr. Volkmar
11:20 - 11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. - 12:40 p.m.
Shana Nichols, Ph.D. - Growing Up With Autism: Developing a Healthy Sexuality Curriculum for Young Adults
Dr. Nichols, clinical director and researcher at the Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, will discuss the importance of healthy relationships, including sexuality, dating, and personal safety, and how these issues present unique challenges and opportunities for young adults with autism. Participants will learn best practices for addressing sexuality in a programmatic setting and at home, and the presentation will include real-life clinical case examples from the Lindner Center's healthy sexuality clinic program.
12:40 - 1:20 p.m. Lunch
1:20 - 2:40 p.m.
Randy Lewis and Deb Russell- There is Not Greatness Without Goodness: Learning From Walgreens as a Leader in Offering Employment Opportunities to Those With Autism
As a father of a child with autism and a senior vice president of logistics and supply chain at Walgreens, Mr. Lewis has intimate knowledge of the importance of providing employment opportunities for those with autism. Guided by his personal passion and his professional experience in the corporate world, Mr. Lewis and a leading Walgreen colleague, Ms. Russell, corporate manager of Walgreens Co., will speak about how they have helped Walgreens position itself as a pioneer in employing people with all disabilities, including autism.
Two of Walgreens's distribution centers employ an inclusive, integrated workforce, of which 40 percent are people with disabilities, who are held to the same work standards and earn the same pay as their fellow workers. As a result of their success, Walgreens has set a goal of employing 1,000 people with disabilities - approximately 10 percent of the workforce - in its distribution centers by 2010. Mr. Lewis and Ms. Russell will provide tangible advice on how they have galvanized the corporate world to see the importance and strengths of employing people with disabilities, so that we can learn how to also galvanize nonprofit and for-profit organizations around employing those with disabilities.
2:40 - 2:50 p.m. Break
2:50 - 3:45 p.m.
Charles D. Hammerman - Addressing Housing Needs With Innovative Financial Models
The Disability Opportunity Fund (DOF), a national community development financial
institution, is dedicated to advancing the needs of people with disabilities, focusing its efforts on
developing new and innovative housing opportunities for people with disabilities. Mr.
Hammerman, president and CEO of the DOF, will speak about the current status of housing
solutions for young adults with autism, and alternative housing models found throughout the
United States. He will also touch on the current work of the DOF within UJA-Federation of
New York's network of agencies and other agencies around the New York metropolitan area.
Participants will learn important strategies to enable young adults with autism to enter
independent and supportive housing arrangements.
3:45 - 4:00 p.m. Conclusion and Evaluations
This symposium is intended as an educational tool only. Some information may not be relevant for all situations and individuals. We urge each individual to retain independent counsel to review and advise regarding his or her specific needs and requirements.
Presenter Bios